By Ntokozo Nkambule
The Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP) has received a major boost following a E600 000 contribution from the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF).
The Fund revealed the contribution during an event held at the United Nations (UN) headquarters, in Mbabane where key stakeholders had come through for a signing ceremony.
The EYEP is a government-endorsed Programme which will provide Graduate Placement and Artisanal Skills Livelihood Development to unemployed youth.
The programme was officially launched by His Majesty King Mswati III last year and is facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
It is important to clarify that the donation from PSPF is earmarked towards graduate’s in work placement, not for artisanal skills development.
Through this Programme, young graduates from local and external tertiary institutions will get the opportunity to gain at least 12 months of work experience, thus improving their practical skills and employability prospects.
The contribution from PSPF will go towards organizations and businesses that are host organizations, that is; organizations that are willing to host graduates but do not have the financial resources or means to cater for the graduate’s monthly stipend.
UNDP states that the donation from PSPF will come in handy as they are aware that there are organizations that have the capacity to build skills and mentor graduates but lack the financial capability.
PSPF Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Masotja Vilakati noted during his address that the reason they have partnered with UNDP in the EYEP programme is that they have realized how helpful it is for graduates.
Vilakati revealed that they also run a similar programme as PSPF, but are grateful that EYEP will ensure that the programme is coordinated.
He implored host organizations to ensure that they give the graduates challenging work, so they truly benefit during the 12 months placement.
Other key partners in the programme include the Construction Industry Council, Ezulwini Municipality, Nhlangano Town Council, Mankayane Town Board and Siteki Town Council. These entities will mostly focus on the Artisanal development aspect of the programme.