Over 85,000 unemployed graduates apply for 2,000 Home Affairs digitisation jobs

While the Department of Home Affairs has managed to create 10 000 job opportunities for unemployed youth who will take part in the three-year digitisation project, the project has been overwhelmed with applications as it emerges the jobs are too few and in high demand.

Despite the fact that the payment for the advertised jobs is relatively low, there has been an overwhelming response from desperate unemployed graduates who wanted to earn something.

Esther Tloane, Department of Employment and Labour Chief Director, said so far the department has received 85 820 applications and 23 374 have qualified to be assessed and interviewed.

He confirmed that the project was expected to run over a three-year period, effective from November 2022 until October 2025.

“The recruitment drive will be divided into three phases. Phase 1 – will see recruitment of the first intake of 2 000 unemployed youth graduates.

“This cohort will assume duty on 1 November 2022. Phase 2 – will see a further recruitment of 4 000 unemployed youth graduates. This cohort will assume duty in January 2023. Phase 3 – will see a further and last recruitment of 4 000 unemployed youth graduates.

“This cohort will assume duty in April 2023. Successful youth will be paid a stipend ranging from R5 000 for entry-level positions to R9 500 for technical support level positions and R14 250 for Manager level positions. This cohort will be required to sign a three-year contract linked to the duration of the project,” he added.