Young entrepreneurs on the rise
JOHANNESBURG – YEP is part of a response to bolster government's efforts to curb unemployment rate among young people in SA.
There is now a tailor-made youth entrepreneurial programme which aims to drive innovations and create job opportunities that could bring significant changes to the local economy.
Vodacom, in collaboration with Innovator Trust, unveiled on 8 November the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme aimed at equipping unemployed youth with the requisite set of skills to become cutting-edge entrepreneurs.
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Takalani Netshitenzhe, chief officer on corporate affairs at Vodacom, said during a period of six months, 10 qualifying Gauteng youths will receive business training from experienced facilitators and gain insight into business acumen.
“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,” said Netsitenzhe.
The graduates will get support to develop their business ideas, a business model, business plan and other business development areas, he added. Netshitenzhe said they will increase their potential of becoming entrepreneurs, thus also increasing their prospect of qualifying for a full business incubation programme.
Chief executive officer of Innovator Trust, Tashline Jooste, reiterated that the idea will certainly equip the graduates with much-needed experience. “While there is no doubt that entrepreneurs, especially in the 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,” said Jooste.
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“This is not only an 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.”
Details: sthembile.duma@epicmslgroup.com
