In celebration of Youth Month, Shell and Raizcorp, based in Marlboro, have relaunched their enterprise development programme, Live Wire.
The programme, which has been successfully implemented since 2014, is aimed at strengthening entrepreneurial development through equipping young, aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills and competencies required to operate successful businesses. Each year the programme supports dedicated entrepreneurs in turning their bright ideas into sustainable and practical businesses.
Over time, the offering of the Live Wire programme has been revitalised and improved from a basic business-awareness programme to direct assistance for youth to start up viable enterprises, which receive support for three years post-start-up.
“As Shell, we are committed to investing in businesses and communities that will accelerate the real transformation and power our progress as a nation,” said Hloniphizwe Mtolo, the country chairperson for Shell Downstream South Africa.
The programme’s focus is on training and equipping young people with the necessary entrepreneurial skills to combat the high levels of unemployment and widespread poverty and to help empower South Africa’s economic development.
This year, the initiative aims to go beyond raising business awareness to equip candidates with competencies that will assist them in enhancing and growing their businesses further. The ultimate goal is to contribute towards creating a robust culture of small and medium-sized enterprises and to develop their knowledge, skills and capabilities. The programme includes internationally acclaimed entrepreneurial learning, individual business guidance, access to infrastructure, access to specialists and back office support, among others.
Shell and Raizcorp are seeking entrepreneurs across a range of industries to apply for the 2019 programme. Applicants must be South African citizens over the age of 18 with a business that is 51 per cent black-owned and based in Gauteng or eMalahleni. Candidates wishing to apply should SMS ‘Shell’ to 35839 and Raizcorp will call them back.
Share your thoughts on the programme on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page
Related Articles:
Yes2Day programme aims to help kickstart the Youth Employment Service
