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Helping Hand Entrepreneurship Competition generates employment

Entries for the Solidarity Helping Hand Entrepreneurship Competition for Grade 6 to 12 learners kicked off again. Through this competition, Helping Hand aims to address the problem of unemployment among the youth by empowering them with entrepreneurial skills from a young age.

Entries for the Solidarity Helping Hand Entrepreneurship Competition for Grade 6 to 12 learners kicked off again. Through this competition, Helping Hand aims to address the problem of unemployment among the youth by empowering them with entrepreneurial skills from a young age.

According to the most recent Adcorp Employment Index there are about 344 000 South Africans with degrees, diplomas and certificates who are currently unemployed because they do not possess the skills that employers are looking for. The report indicated that the number of retrenchments in January had been higher than ever before over the past 10 years, with 36 290 South Africans that have lost their jobs.

‘Statistics indicate that it is becoming increasingly important for young people to learn entrepreneurial skills so that they will be able to start their own businesses someday, should it become necessary,’ said Dr Danie Brink, Chief Executive of Solidarity Helping Hand. ‘When entrepreneurial skills are acquired from a young age, young people will be better equipped to face the future. These skills will also ensure that they have a way out if things should go wrong in the workplace.’

The competition will be held for the second time this year and the prize money will total R60 000. ‘Last year’s competition was a huge success and inspired us to tackle it on an even larger scale this year,’ said Karin Venter, project organiser for Helping Hand. ‘The winner will walk away with R15 000 to invest in his or her proposed business, as well as R15 000 for his or her school to be used for entrepreneurial development.’

The competition consists of three phases where finalists advance to a following round after each phase and thus gain access to the material for the next phase. The competition is aimed at Grade 6 to 12 learners and learners may enter at www.loopbaan.co.za. The closing date for submitting business ideas is 2 May 2014 and there is no entry fee.

For more information, contact Karin Venter on 012 644 4390 or send an e-mail karin@helpendehand.co.za.

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