Drivers and solution
Drivers
The Community Service Programme (CSP) is directed at addressing South Africa’s chronic youth unemployment challenge. Of the 1.2 million young people entering the labour market each year, more than 65% remain outside of employment, education and training. Given the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the economy and on employment, there is an even more urgent need to implement the CSP programme – particularly in a context where existing approaches have failed to halt the rise of youth unemployment.
Solution
The CSP aims to mobilise members of the community to become active citizens of the country’s democracy, while earning an income and increasing their employability. The initiative will scale up opportunities for beneficiaries to contribute to the development of their community through providing specific services that meet priority needs.
Intended Beneficiaries:
The CSP will target 156 beneficiaries: 90 from existing CSI programmes in Mpumalanga and the Free State (45 each), 6 existing SMMEs funded by the SI fund and 60 ECD and Teacher Assistants from the Sasol Foundation. Potential beneficiaries will be invited to apply through local and social media by Sasol Social Impact regional teams. Application forms will be made available through local SASSA offices and other regional partners of the Bridge to Work programme.
The criteria for selection into the Sasol Community Service Programme are as follows:
- Unemployed and out of school persons not in education or training and who are not part of any other program sponsored by any other party
- These persons are to be aged between 18-50
- Minimum of 50% of persons are to be female
- Minimum 40% must be youth as defined
- Preferably a minimum 10% should come people living with disabilities
- Able to read and write at required level of proficiency
- Must show some experience and interest in community work and volunteering
- They must display an interest in social entrepreneurship
- Willingness to commit time and effort to the project
- They must have a desire to learn and participate in economic projects
Overview
The CSP aims to mobilise members of the community to become active citizens of the country’s democracy, while earning an income and increasing their employability. The initiative will scale up opportunities for beneficiaries to contribute to the development of their community through providing specific services that meet priority needs.
The CSP programme will run in 24 months cycles. It will include personal leadership, work readiness and technical training in identified focus areas. The programme will be rolled out in collaboration with the following partners:
- The Sasol Foundation – for teacher and ECD assistants; and
- Business Development Partner – for existing CSI regional projects.
The BtW Business Development Partner- Government services support (Public Works) – Transitioning into Government work, Further training or micro enterprises
- Grasscutting
- Road Maintenance (incl. pothole remediation)
- Water leak management
- Traffic Management assistants
- Greening and revitalisation of communal space (Small scale horticulture)
- Professional Services assistants (transitioning into further education, training and employment)
- Administration assistants at schools and local clinics (incl. Data capturing)
- Educator assistants (60 ECD and Teaching Assistants)
- Home-based care assistants
- Circular Economy micro enterprises
- Waste recycling projects
- Furniture manufacturing and repairs (including repurposed waste and introduction to basic carpentry)
- Small-scale food production and catering (transitioning into micro-enterprises)
- Backyard food production (Home and Schools)
- Catering & Mobile Food Sales
The Business Development partner will also provide business development services, including the facilitation of market access for beneficiaries of the SI fund.
Skills Development Process
Existing CSI Projects Business Development Process
