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Why Youth Employment Services are Beneficial to the Youth of SA

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    Youth Employment Services (YES) is a South African government-led initiative offered by BEE Chamber. It aims to address the country's high youth unemployment rate. The programme was launched in 2018 and has been successful in creating employment opportunities for young people in various sectors. If you are a young person looking for employment or a company seeking to hire youth, here's why YES is beneficial to you!

    For young people, Youth Employment Services (YES) provides access to training and job opportunities that can help kickstart their careers. The programme targets young people between the ages of 18 and 35 and offers various employment pathways, such as internships, apprenticeships, and learnerships. Through YES, young people can gain valuable work experience, develop new skills, and increase their chances of finding sustainable employment in the future.

    Youth Employment Services (YES) also provides support for young entrepreneurs through its YES for Business programme. This programme offers funding, mentorship, and business development support to young entrepreneurs who are starting or growing their businesses. With the help of YES for Business, young entrepreneurs can access the resources they need to succeed and create jobs for others in their communities.

    For companies, Youth Employment Services (YES) offers a way to comply with the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) codes, which require companies to demonstrate their commitment to youth employment and skills development. By participating in YES, companies can improve their B-BBEE scorecard ratings and enhance their reputation as socially responsible businesses. In addition, companies can access a pool of talented and motivated young people who are eager to contribute to their businesses.

    To participate in YES, companies can choose to sponsor youth employment opportunities through one of the programme's implementation partners or by creating their own youth employment opportunities. Yes Implementation partners are registered non-profit organisations that provide support and guidance to companies that want to participate in the programme. They also help identify suitable candidates for employment opportunities and provide training and mentorship to young people.

    Companies that choose to create their own youth employment opportunities can do so by offering internships, apprenticeships, or learnerships. These programmes provide young people with on-the-job training and mentoring and can help companies develop a pipeline of skilled and motivated employees for the future.

    In addition to improving B-BBEE scorecard ratings, participating in Youth Employment Services (YES)  can also have other benefits for companies. By investing in the development of young people, companies can enhance their talent pipelines and create a more diverse and inclusive workforce. This can lead to increased innovation, better problem-solving, and higher employee engagement and retention rates.

    In conclusion, Youth Employment Services (YES) is a beneficial programme for both young people and companies in South Africa. For young people, YES provides access to training and job opportunities that can help kickstart their careers and improve their prospects for sustainable employment. For companies, YES offers a way to comply with B-BBEE codes while also accessing a pool of talented and motivated young people who can contribute to their businesses. By participating in YES, companies can enhance their reputation as socially responsible businesses while also investing in the development of a more diverse and inclusive workforce.