Increasing access to employment through government programmes: experience with expanded public works programme and community development workers

Abstract

Cabinet Lekgotla agreed in July 2002, that a 'massively expanded' public work's programme would form a key component of a comprehensive employment strategy, together with a range of complementary supply-side interventions which will focus primarily on training through SETA-based training programmes. This agreement gave birth to the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP). It was also noted that a critical element in assisting those in the Second Economy is provision of information, particularly regarding how they can access social and economic opportunities. In this regard, the targeted communication campaign on social and economic opportunities occupies a central place. This critical need gave birth to another job creating programme ? The Community Development Worker Programme.