Employment-Intensive Investment

Implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programmes in the Limpopo Province, South Africa through the Limpopo Department of Public Works

More and better jobs for inclusive growth and improved youth employment prospects

The Expanded Public Works Programme is one of the flagship programmes of the Government which makes systematic use of public expenditure to boost productive employment and to develop marketable skills among the historically disadvantaged communities thereby contributing towards the national goal of alleviating poverty. The programme covers all spheres of government and opportunities for implementing the EPWP have been identified in the infrastructure, environmental, social and economic sectors.

The project was designed by the ILO in collaboration with the Government of Limpopo Province to provide technical support the implementation of the Expanded Programme of Public Works Programme (EPWP), by the fielding of five (5) experts who were later reduced to four (4) in 2009 due to resignations. Overall, the project was designed to assist the Limpopo Provincial Government fulfill the goals and objectives of the EPWP in the creation of decent work opportunities for the unemployed that will contribute towards the government’s objective of poverty reduction, improved livelihoods of the target beneficiaries and skills development.

The project is aimed at providing providing Technical Assistance (TA) and support to the Limpopo Department of Public Works (LDPW) that will facilitate the smooth implementation of the infrastructure component of EPWP using Employment Intensive (EI) methods in the province. In addition, the ILO agreed to provide direct support to a number of EPWP initiatives identified by the Limpopo Department of Public Works (LDPW).

The scope of the ILO TA includes:

  1. Assisting in the establishment of functional Training Centre and development of the necessary training programme and curriculum covering the project period;
  2. Assist in the coordination of training activities to various target groups;
  3. Assisting in the compilation of multi-sectoral (non-road infrastructure works) training material;
  4. Provide technical and managerial assistance to Departments and municipalities on the use of LI work methods and procedures;
  5. Assist in developing monitoring systems for LI works based on existing National systems, and
  6. Assisting in the programme management and development of strategies for the increased involvement of emerging entrepreneurs in all types of infrastructure works;
  7. Carry out research and development works aiming at improving quality and delivery of labour intensive construction works.

The main outputs expected from the collaborative effort are:

  1. Training 78 road emerging contractors;
  2. Training at least 100 emerging non-road infrastructure contractors;
  3. Re-orientation course for at least 15 established Consulting firms;
  4. Training of at least 96 municipal officers (Municipal and technical managers) on technical and managerial skills related to labour intensive construction;
  5. Produce management tools for road, water & sanitation works, and
  6. Technical and managerial support given to all implementing agencies on the use of LIC including pro-employment planning and implementation methods.