The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is launching fresh hiring rounds across South Africa, offering temporary work opportunities to unemployed and unskilled individuals, with a focus on youth (ages 16–35), women, people with disabilities, and adult men.
### What Is the EPWP?
The EPWP is a national government initiative coordinated by the Department of Public Works to alleviate poverty through short-to-medium-term work and income relief. It operates through four key sectors:
| Sector | Work Opportunities |
|——–|——————-|
| **Infrastructure** | Construction and maintenance of public infrastructure projects
| **Environmental & Culture** | Waste management, street cleaning, recycling, alien vegetation clearing, beach patrol
| **Social** | Peer educators, security interns, job shadowing for graduates/matrics
| **Training** | On-the-job training and accredited skills learnerships for all participants
### Who Can Qualify?
Unemployed and unskilled individuals, women, youth (16–35), adult men, and people with disabilities are eligible. [george.gov]
### How to Apply
1. **Watch for local advertisements** on notice boards and in local media about community projects needing temporary workers.
2. **Submit applications** using details provided in the advertisement.
3. **Recruitment follows EPWP guidelines** specific to your municipality’s wards. d-public-works-programme-epwp/)
4. **Register on the EPWP Unemployed Database** by filling out the application form and submitting it at the local EPWP office
Participants can work up to **12 consecutive months**, subject to available funds. All workers receive a daily wage, including time spent in training. [george.gov](https://www.george.gov.za/extended-public-works-programme-epwp/)
### Contact Information
For Western Cape residents (including Cape Town):
– **Allison Petersen**, EPWP Provincial Coordination Office
The EPWP continues to be a vital government initiative contributing to decent employment, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive economic growth across South Africa.