The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande have agreed to collaborate on a number of projects to improve education and skills development among South Africa's youth.

NYDA chairperson Andile Lungisa met with Nzimande earlier this week to look at areas of cooperation between the agency and the Higher Education Department.

"Our respective institutions serve the same constituency, which is young people. As such, this has necessitated that we look at collaboration projects that we can undertake to alleviate the plight of young people," said Nzimande.

The agency agreed to support the national department in creating second-chance opportunities for young people who had passed matric, but were unable to proceed to higher learning institutions.

The parties further agreed to facilitate skills development programmes through the existing infrastructure of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans, Further Education and Training colleges and Adult Basic Education and Training centres, to ensure that young people are able to improve their livelihood opportunities when they leave school.

These programmes would range from carpentry work, artisanship and community schooling.

Other relevant government departments and agencies would also be called upon to strengthen the coordination of the programmes and to ensure exit opportunities for young people enrolled in the different programmes.