Premier
With regard to the successful candidates of the Graduate Advancement Programme and the Premier’s Advancement of Youth (PAY) Project in 2020 who were unable to participate in the programmes due to COVID-19 restrictions:
- (a) What plans does his Department have for the placement of candidates in 2021 and (b) how many candidates will participate in the PAY Project in 2021;
- whether those graduates recruited in 2020 will be appointed in 2021 or will the recruitment process start anew;
- (a) when will the successful candidates of these programmes commence their
activities and (b) where will the successful candidates be placed?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying Cost of Employee (CoE) budget challenges, there are limited placement opportunities for interns. The proposal to WCG Departments who are willing to accommodate PAY interns in 2021 is to consider the option of 2 intake possibilities namely:
- An intake commencing on 1 April 2021 during which the selected candidates from 2020, who could not commence the internship as a result of COVID-19 and who are still available, be accommodated.
- An intake commencing on 1 June 2021 in which case an advertisement will be placed to include matriculants from 2020. This will only be done if more WCG departments commit to accommodate PAY interns. Care should be taken not to create an expectation with an advert while no or a very small number of opportunities are available in WCG departments.
(b) Thus far commitments were received from 2 Departments, with a total of 21 opportunities for PAY Interns.
(2) Graduates recruited in 2020 are appointed in those Departments who requested CV’s. Depending on expressed needs and available opportunities for graduate interns from departments, another recruitment drive will be initiated in July 2021.
(3)(a)
- PAY: 1 April 2021 and possibly 1 June 2021
- Graduate Interns: As the need arises from Departments and normally the commencement is within 8 weeks after the interviews were done.
(b)
- PAY: Department of Community Safety and Department of Agriculture.
Graduate Interns: Will be placed in departments whom have indicated that they have opportunities available for graduate interns. Currently the Department of the Premier and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning have indicated that they need graduate interns.
