Youth Entrepreneurship Programme unveiled

Vodacom and Innovator Trust have unveiled the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (Yep), aimed at equipping local unemployed youths with the requisite set of skills to become cutting-edge entrepreneurs.

The tailor-made programme aims to drive innovations and create job opportunities that could bring significant changes to the local economy.

To kick-start the programme, Vodacom and Innovator Trust are offering 10 unemployed youths, based in Gauteng, who graduated from the Vodacom Academy a spot in the programme. During the six-month period, the qualifying youths will receive business training from experienced facilitators and gain insight into business acumen.

Chief Officer, Corporate Affairs at Vodacom, Takalani Netshitenzhe commented, “South Africa’s youth unemployment statistics are shooting through the roof, with the unemployment rate for under 25s at 67,4 per cent, showing that two out of three South Africans aged 18 to 28 are unemployed.

“As a company with strong local roots and in partnership with Innovator Trust, Yep is part of our response to bolster our government’s efforts to curb the rising unemployment rate among young people in SA, given that entrepreneurship plays an influential role in driving economic growth and employment creation.”

Yep will relate to the overall business development support required for 10 Vodacom Academy graduates by supporting them in developing their business ideas, business models, business plans and other business development areas. In turn, the graduates will increase their potential of becoming an entrepreneur, thus also increase their prospect of qualifying for a Full Business Incubation Programme.

The programme will include courses such as pitching and presentation skills, business development, marketing, creating a business plan, due diligence and compliance, including Cipro requirements, basics of labour law, new companies Act/BEE, HR management and financial management, to mention a few.

The CEO of The Innovator Trust, Tashline Jooste said while there is no doubt that entrepreneurs, especially in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry, are highly skilled individuals, who understand their product or service, they often lack business fundamentals that are needed to grow an existing SMME business.

“This is why it is important for Vodacom and Innovator Trust to partner in launching this programme. This is not only the opportunity for us to change the face of the Industry but to also point these young up-and-coming entrepreneurs in the right direction, so they can make a success of their businesses,” she said.

A young woman who graduated from the programme and is now running her own business, Khaya Cokoto who is the managing director at X Sparks said the programme is a lifeline to young entrepreneurs.

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