In tweets: Over 3 000 young people participatein the Youth Employment Service

CEO of Youth Employment Service (YES), Tashmia Ismail, said that this is a moment of celebration for many young people. Not only are thousands of youth given an opportunity to gain work experience but employment hubs are being created around the country.

Ismail added that all the companies that have played a role in the YES programme are the generals for #ThumaMina and Nedbank is one of the biggest contributors to the programme so far.

“Thousands of people have been placed on the path of opportunity thanks to hundreds of businesses who have gone above and beyond to provide these opportunities,” said Ismail.

Participants in the Yes Programme will be sharing some of their experiences. Many of the youth in the programme have spent years looking for work and are excited to have an opportunity to get work experience #Yes4Youth @Sandton_News pic.twitter.com/AAEtQSWB7j

— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) May 2, 2019

Mosesi Mosesi, looked for a job for 4 years before being connected with the Yes programme. He now runs a hydroponic and aquaponic farm and highlights the potential of urban farming #Yes4Youth @Sandton_News

— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) May 2, 2019

Ramaphosa thanks the young people for sharing their experiences and says that it is evident that they need to expand initiatives like #Yes4Youth @Sandton_News

— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) May 2, 2019

“It’s an initiative that demonstrates how businesses and government can work together. It had gone beyond just talking but it is now practical,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa said that it is commendable that Nedbank has provided opportunities to over 3 000 youth and hopes it will be an example to other companies.

Ramaphosa added that that the legal framework for the programme was very challenging but the work has been worthwhile and he hopes to see more companies creating opportunities for ambitious youths.

“Those who have the drive, are ambitious and hard working will be given the opportunities to grow and will be role models for other youths,” said Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa says that whole many youth have had the opportunity to study, many people sit at home with their degrees because they cannot find work. 'We immediately threw this challenge at the private sector and they have responded.' #Yes4Youth @Sandton_News

— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) May 2, 2019

Ramaphosa said that he believes that work experience as a requirement to get employment should be scrapped. He said it was not necessary when he was young but for many young people today it is a barrier.

Ramaphosa says that within 6 months they will have created 18 000 work experience opportunities. But it is clear that there is much more to be done #Yes4Youth @Sandton_News

— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) May 2, 2019

Ramaphosa says that each business leader has had some person who helped mentor them or give them a break. Ramaphosa shares how 2 Jewish ladies gave him a bursary to study. He says he had to put in a lot of work and experience failure before he succeeded #Yes4Youth @Sandton_News

— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) May 2, 2019

Related article:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/221017/yes2day-programmes-aims-to-help-kickstart-the-youth-employment-service/