A new youth skills development programme aimed at empowering youth in the Gamagara Local Municipal area, has been launched as a way to combat the prevailing unemployment rates that plague these communities. The initiative kicks off this month and will engage twenty-five local youths, over a period of six months, through the programme of developmental activities.
Recognising that the development of local youth is critical to the South African economy, REISA, is funding this programme. The intervention is viewed as a strategic investment, as it aims to develop aspiring entrepreneurs from this cohort of school graduates, which in turn will stimulate employment.
“Our local communities have so many youths without jobs, so it is imperative that we invest in upskilling so they can either enter the world of work or become entrepreneurs and create jobs in their own communities,” explained Veronique Isaacs, Project Community Operations Officer for REISA Solar.
The Micro Genezis: Youth4Change Programme, is designed to improve the employability viability of the youth through skills training, leadership development, and life skills training and is implemented by Angels Resource Centre and Lead Academy. The group of unemployed young adults between the ages of 18 and 35, who have a keen interest in entrepreneurship, will be selected to participate in this programme and receive a “Certificate in Leadership Skills” upon completion.
“During this programme, participants will be assisted in creating sustainable businesses. Our goal is to help them and their businesses in reaching the level of sustainability and profitability that would enable them to hire other unemployed youth within their community,” concluded Denise Dookoo, Head of Youth Programmes for Angels Resource Centres.
With a continued focus on youth, this programme also looks at school-going youth. An additional group of twenty-five learners from community schools will be recruited to participate in a Leadership Camp at the end of the year. The annual camp has been running for the last two years with participants travelling to Kommetjie, in Cape Town, to experience life skills and leadership training in a different context and environment. All participants in the Youth Leadership Camp are awarded a “Certificate of Participation”.
