Gina Chowa, PhD, MSW, conducted a study examines the association between program design and youth employability outcomes. Using longitudinal survey data from the Siyakha Youth Assets project in South Africa, she analyzed responses from a sample of 1809 youth enrolled in eight different employment programs across the country.
These findings underscore that the design and delivery of youth employment programs, particularly those integrating soft skills, work experience, and labor market matching, are linked to improved outcomes. In contrast, the standalone use of stipends, extended duration, or technical training shows limited effects over time. Results highlight the importance of integrated program design, particularly the inclusion of soft skills, experiential learning, and labor market linkages, in improving youth employment outcomes in South Africa.