Organisation aims to upskill the youth
For more information contact Thabang Mathonsi on 063 896 4739 or visit www.yups.co.za
Youth Upliftment Project Skills and Development (Yups) aims to empower young people with tools and skills to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The NPO provides e-learning opportunities to learners with courses that include customer service management, IT support services and project management.
“When we started Yups, the main motivation was to start something that will help the youth with tangible opportunities they can use to better their lives,” said founder Thabang Mathonsi.
Mathonsi said he saw an opportunity during the peak of the pandemic where communication and learning were restricted to digital platforms.
“We are in a digital age where technology is a way of life, as it is here to improve our lives and the way we do things,” he said.
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The Crystal Park resident said the project is run online and revealed they have upskilled over 400 young people since February last year.
“We have helped over 400 youths throughout the country and others get jobs and start businesses.
“The project is ongoing and gaining momentum every week. We are running it strictly online and invite people on our WhatsApp group, where there’s a link to sign-up. They then continue with their courses from the comfort of their own homes.”
Although they are in partnership with corporates, such as Microsoft and Nedbank, Mathonsi has appealed for help from others as they rely solely on funds to run the organisation.
“I am proud that a small organisation like us have had such a big impact during the peak of Covid-19. A lot of people took their time to study. Since then, big corporates such as Nedbank have joined the programme and use it to empower their staff and communities.
“We are looking forward to engaging with our potential sponsors to help improve the lives of the young people of Ekurhuleni. This project will also help them get employees that are skilled and ready for the workplace,” Mathonsi concluded.
For more information, you may contact Thabang Mathonsi on 063 896 4739 or visit www.yups.co.za
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