Youth Worx
We say “yes” to giving youth a start in life
It’s the key to a prosperous future
The YES programme is a joint initiative by the private sector and South African Government to assist South Africa’s youth in gaining work experience through job placements. Youth unemployment in South Africa remains the single highest risk to economic development in the country. In many instances, it is the most vulnerable communities that are impacted by the high rates of unemployment.
The YES model makes a meaningful contribution to empowerment in areas of national priority, addresses youth unemployment issues, upskills the youth involved through their work experience and the training and development they receive on the job, and ultimately they become more employable promoting overall economic prosperity. Wild Impact has registered as a Youth Employment Services (YES) implementor with the intention of building a substantial work placement programme. We say “yes” to job creation by helping youth become job ready, we say “yes” to boosting the economy and we say “yes” to partnerships that make this possible.
The YES programme has a core focus around United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Quality Education and Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth. SDG 5 has a key focus to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. SDG 8 has a key focus to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Nonhlanhla Ndlovu
Youth Worx
Nonhlanhla was one of Wild Impact’s Youth Employment Service (YES) interns, and was placed at Muchuchi Primary school to assist the school in implementing our environmental education programme, Echo.
How we're saying yes
The work placements selected for the YES youth are determined by their potential to support the expansion and improved operations of our Echo and Climate Resilient Communities programme. They also support &Beyond’s Phinda, Kirkman’s and Ngala Stars in Training initiatives as well as to other neighbouring lodges such as Zuka, Makhasa and Sabi Sands lodge operations. The youth also provide financial, administrative, communications and impact insights support within &Beyond and Wild Impact.
In local schools
Enabling the delivery of the Echo Environmental and Climate Resilient Communities Stewardship Programme.
In communities
Providing community cleanup services, including waste management and recycling.
In local lodges
Providing support in catering, guest relations, house-keeping and front of house.
Why we need to say yes
71 million
Global unemployed youth aged 15-24 (2017).
27.2%
South Africa’s unemployment rate.
60%
Unemployed youth live in rural areas / townships.
600 000
Young people complete school yearly in RSA.
The future belongs to those who dare to believe in the beauty of their dreams
How the YES process works
Youth enrolled in YES are interviewed and contracted for a 12-month period. YES positions are created separately to existing employment positions.
YES employees are paid at least minimum wage by the employing entity and given constructive, meaningful work to do to build and develop skills.
A designated percentage of the positions created are absorbed into the business after the 12 month “intern” period is completed.
YES employees get a smartphone with a YES app to complete readiness modules as well as weekly / monthly surveys to monitor progress.
The 12-month quality work experience equips unemployed youth to be beacons of hope for their families, households and communities.
Every YES member completing their year-long experience is given a CV & reference letter which gives them a 3 x greater chance of an interview call-back
Our Partnerships
Our partnership with Youth Employment Services (YES) has enabled work placements for our primary communities in South Africa, leading to permanent and fixed term employment. As and when sponsors commit support, placements are advertised through Maputaland and Greater Kruger community leadership structures, with subsequent coalitions each playing a fundamental role in our impact journey
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