A study of the impact of expanded public works programme on job creation in the Zululand district municipality.

Abstract

This research measures and evaluates the impact of the Expanded Public Works Programmes on job creation in the Zululand District in order to guide government in developing a policy that will assist future job creation programmes. The Provincial government has prioritized poverty reduction and job creation as key focus areas in Kwazulu - Natal. This study attempts to determine whether the Expanded Public Works Programme contributes towards job creation and economic growth. The study was limited to the area of the Zululand District Municipality. This research was quantitative in nature in order to meet the objectives of the study which relates to impacts of the Expanded Public Works Programme on job creation. Statistics will be used to justify the conclusions drawn about the percentage increase in employment creation in the area. . The sample was a representative of the population of the area under study. Efforts were made to eliminate any ambiguity in the questionnaires. As training of people on the Expanded Public Works Programme is often conducted in less than six months and as the training is often not accredited, it is concluded that the jobs created by the Expanded Public Works Programme in the Zululand District Municipality are not sustainable. A high percentage of people worked on the Expanded Public Works Programme projects. Although these jobs are not sustainable, they do contribute towards the reduction of unemployment during the construction phase of the project. Most people agree with and support the Expanded Public Works Programme as a successful programme that gives hope for job creationThe output and impact of the Expanded Public Works Programme on skills training, monthly gross household income, daily wage, sustainable jobs and reduction in unemployment is shown to be minimal or not having a very noticeable impact.. Registered institutions under the Department of Education should be used to conduct training on these projects so that the level of training received can be consistent for all people trained