Expanded Public Works Programme creates over 500 000 jobs in 2020

“The EPWP Environment & Culture and Non-State sectors created 108 762 and 34 320, respectively,” the department said on Thursday.

The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) has between April 2020 and December 2020 created 515 862 work opportunities for the poor and unemployed South Africans.

According to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), all four Sectors of the EPWP – Infrastructure, Environment & Culture, Social and Non-State - contributed to these opportunities, with the largest numbers coming from Infrastructure with 208 505 work opportunities, followed by Social with 164 275 work opportunities.

"The EPWP Environment & Culture and Non-State sectors created 108 762 and 34 320, respectively," the department said on Thursday.

KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape continue to lead in the creation of EPWP opportunities, the department said, adding that the two provinces created 144 614 and 108 279, respectively.

The performance by other provinces between 1 April 2020 to December 2020 is as follows:

Eastern Cape 108 279

Free State 29 343

Gauteng 50 917

KwaZulu-Natal 144 614

Limpopo 62 715

Mpumalanga 27 386

North West 31 754

Northern Cape 13 875

Western Cape 46 979

Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, the EPWP continues to create the much-needed work and training opportunities for the poor and unemployed South Africans.

EPWP acting Deputy Director-General Carmen Joy-Abrahams indicated that the EPWP will continue with initiatives to stimulate employment opportunities and improve livelihoods beyond COVID-19.

The department said all spheres of government and State-Owned Entities are expected to implement the Programme.

EPWP beneficiaries

EPWP beneficiaries work in different projects such as Community Work Programme (CWP), Early Childhood Development Programmes, Home Community Based Care Programmes, Extra School Support Programmes, Working on Fire, Working for Water and Roads Maintenance Projects, among others.

Through various skills and training that the participants receive from the EPWP, they stand better chances to enter the formal job market and/or become entrepreneurs.

(With Inputs from South African Government Press Release)