The Committee expressed ongoing concerns regarding the NYDA's loan book and the high degree of portfolio risk in terms of micro loans and SMME finance given to the youth. It was asserted that the strategic shift towards the utilisation of partnerships with financial institutions in this regard was indeed necessary. Whilst the Committee acknowledged the progress made in transforming the NYDA call centre from being a shared cost to a toll free, the Committee was concerned whether the call centre personnel was trained to handle the often complex youth queries.