Cape Town — President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme for its role in helping reduce youth unemployment in the country and placing 32,400 young people in proper jobs in 2023.
YES, an ambitious partnership with the private sector, sees companies providing work experience opportunities to young people.
Ramaphosa said that after six years of being in existence, YES had placed more than 100 000 South Africans between the ages of 18 and 29 in local businesses for a year of work experience.
“Through YES, approximately R6 billion in youth salaries has been injected into the economy and has enabled participants to support their families,” Ramaphosa said in his weekly newsletter.
The results of the Youth Employment Service (YES) have exceeded expectations, with more expected jobs post-programme. This speaks to the sustainability and longevity of the roles the youth are placed in.
Visit https://t.co/O2eSJFCShu. #YES4Youth #LeaveNoOneBehind pic.twitter.com/L1ZjMSjoZU
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) April 3, 2023
He said an estimated 61% of YES participants came from households reliant on social grants.
“One participant, who was placed with Mercedes-Benz for a year, was the sole breadwinner for a family of four. She told YES that not only was she able to support her family, she was also able to save up to start a broiler chicken business.”
The president also referred to research indicating an estimated 40% of participants were employed on completion of the programme, adding that in 2023 YES had achieved a new record of 32,400 jobs.
“Currently over 1,400 businesses participate in YES, and the aim is to increase the pace of placements as more companies come on board and more opportunities are made available.”
“We have always said that the unemployment crisis can only be overcome if all social partners come on board. As the main source of job creation and retention in most countries around the world, including our own, the private sector’s involvement is critical,” Ramaphosa said.
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
