SAVE THE CHILDREN SA- Market analysis study
Mthente Research and Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd (Mthente) was appointed to conduct a market analysis study commissioned by Save The Children South Africa (SCSA). SCSA through its Children on the Move Project (COM) focuses on children and youth considered highly vulnerable and at-risk due to the effects of migration. These are mainly unaccompanied and separated migrant children of different migratory categories such as asylum seekers, refugees, trafficked smuggled children, and economic migrants amongst others. According to Stats SA (2019), the provincial estimates show that while Gauteng Province has a migrant population of (25.8%), both Limpopo Province and Eastern Cape have a proportion of (33.3%) of migrants younger than 15 years old. Child protection actors which work with migrant children have raised concerns that migrant children seem predominantly limited to institutional facilities with no access to other forms of care and with limited options of existing pathways into independent living (UNICEF, 2020).
This assessment utilised a mixed-methods approach which included beneficiary (child-centred) surveys conducted with the target groups in Limpopo and Gauteng Province. The study also surveyed employers from different sectors in Limpopo and Gauteng Province to identify the skill gaps that employers consider for employability. Beneficiary (child-centred) focus group discussions were conducted with children between 14-24 years, in five organisations across Limpopo and Gauteng Province, to assist in identifying the kinds of skills development initiatives that could be meaningful to them. Lastly, Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants from different organisations that all deal with children.
The study showed that there was a need for an array of skills development initiatives which need to be implemented to enhance the children’s employability and lessen the risk of their vulnerability once they reach 18 years old. Furthermore, organizations ought to place children in a program that will meet and fulfil their career goals. Therefore, forming partnership between the organisation and some of training and life skills programs in the provinces present as an alternative option that can assist COM in South Africa post formal education.
The findings from the study was utilised to inform Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) on meaningful and life changing skills development options for Children On the Move (COM), between the ages of 14-24 years old in South Africa. The skills development options would also assist the children in having a higher chance of a successful transition into independent living. This study informed future COM interventions and key indicators geared towards migrant and vulnerable children.
