The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) says it has secured retention agreements with security agencies to facilitate the absorption of at least 60% of beneficiaries after completing their two-year engagement period.
Chief Executive Officer Malik Basintale announced the development when he addressed the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House today, Wednesday, October 21.
He said the arrangements were intended to address concerns about the future of young people recruited under temporary employment interventions, particularly those who gain experience supporting the country’s security institutions.
Mr Basintale said the Agency wanted to ensure that its programmes served as pathways to longer-term employment rather than merely providing temporary relief from unemployment.
“Our vision is simple: youth employment must increasingly become a bridge to lasting careers, rather than a temporary response to unemployment,” he said.
The YEA’s security-related interventions include Community Police Assistants, Fire Service Assistants and Prison Office Assistants, who provide support to the respective public institutions while gaining practical workplace experience.
As of September 30, 2026, the Agency had engaged and deployed 11,788 Community Police Assistants against a target of 12,000, representing 98.2% of the target. It had also recorded 4,888 Fire Service Assistants and 5,207 Prison Office Assistants.
Mr Basintale said the Agency remained committed to improving employment retention and expanding opportunities for beneficiaries to build careers after their engagements.