STILL ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

PARLIAMENT yesterday gave a thumbs-up to the Employment Creation Facilitation Fund (Jobs Fund) as it reported that it had created 449 permanent jobs in the Northern Cape on top of another 20 444 internships and 55 645 short-term job opportunities. The Standing Committee on Appropriations (Scoa), while noting room for improvement, said it was satisfied with the progress but advised the National Treasury to look at further opportunities for those who had up-skilled and enhanced their work experience. The committee met Treasury yesterday to be briefed on progress and expenditure with the fund. The Scoa also encouraged Job Fund administrators to prioritise and increase performance in the Northern Cape, because it lagged behind others. The fund was launched in June 2011 with a budget of R9 billion to support initiatives that pilot innovative approaches to employment creation. The programme will come to an end in the next few years, says the Treasury. “National Treasury needs to make sure that there is adequate consultation before the programme run-down is concluded, given our state of unemployment and slow economic growth,” committee chairperson Yvonne Phosa said. She encouraged the Treasury to continue to ensure there was clear value for money in the fund. “The initiative was part of the rapid response by government to tackle the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequalities, and is one of the critical pillars of change.”