RELEVANT WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH, NOT PROMISES

Youth Employment Index

In line with the Government’s focus on job creation, learnerships and employment opportunities for youth, the Orange Farm EmpowaYouth Transformation Week offers sustainable and practical outcomes that are transformative. The EmpowaYouth Transformation Week kicks off on 3rd October and runs until the 9th.

If South Africa has been in a slumber, oblivious to the urgent need to take the plunge and find a sustainable solution to the problem of unemployment, the fright of recent statistics of unemployment of 44.4%, according to the expanded definition, should be a wake-up call. A this juncture, debating about the problem perpetually will not suffice, but finding solutions and acting on them. A long-term solution lies in creating real employment opportunities for the youth, many of whom are living with little hope, and yet they are filled with potential. Youth make up 35,7% of the population, of that percentage, and 8,5 million (41,7%) youth are Not In Employment, Education Or Training (NEET).

Job creation, learnerships and employment opportunities

Finding a long term solution is what organisers of the Orange Farm EmpowaYouth Transformation Week, Empowaworx, aim to achieve. In line with the Government’s focus on job creation, learnerships and employment opportunities for youth, the Orange Farm EmpowaYouth Transformation Week offers sustainable and practical outcomes that are transformative. The aim is to drive socio economic purpose and growth within marginalised and largely despondent communities giving guidance and access to market opportunities so their
potential can be unleashed.

Relevance

On the programme’s relevance, Azande Ralephenya, Project Lead for Empowaworx, says, “This is about exposing township youth to the deep knowledge and insights from our speakers, as well as incredible opportunities for employment and education, as well as start-up funding for entrepreneurs. For the past five years, we’ve held one-day summits in Orange Farm and are excited to be upping the ante this year.”

Crème de la crème of speakers and panelists

There is a crème de la crème line-up of speakers and panelists, including vastly experienced professionals and a number of Cabinet Ministers who will inform and inspire the youth in attendance, as well as online. Amongst Ministers who are participating include Hon. Minister Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Hon. Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. Experts from other organisation will include Professor Bonang Mohale; Chancellor University of
Free State, Waseem Carrim; CEO of the National Youth Development Agency, Billy Selekane; Internationally acclaimed Inspirational Keynote Speaker, Personal, Team and Organizational Effectiveness Specialists.

Masterclasses

A number of masterclasses will also be on offer, as well as exhibitions from learning institutions, businesses and organisations actively seeking youth to offer them real opportunities. Each day of the week will cover a different theme, with a particular focus on: Jobs, Training and Skills Development, Business and Entrepreneurship, Personal and Social Transformation, Inspiration and Motivation, and High Impact Leadership.

Attendance

Depending on the level of lock down in the country at the time, Empowaworx is expecting approximately 500 youth to register for attendance, with more than 5,000 reached virtually. The EmpowaYouth Transformation Week micro-site enables Empowaworx to not only manage in-person attendance, but also ensure vital information is communicated to all participating youth,

The week’s programme will culminate in the finals of the Masiza Sports Tournament, which is currently on-going, with 64 soccer teams, male and female and 32 Netball teams from surrounding areas and neighbouring provinces competing for the title. .

A process not an event

Much as we wish creating tomorrow’s opportunities is a process and not an event, and The EmpowaYouth Transformation Week is an integral part of the process. In his speech on 16 June 2021, President Ramaphosa said, “Our goal is to become a country where every young person has a place to go – whether in further education and training, in skills development, in work experience, in entrepreneurship, in youth service or in formal employment.” And the EmpowaYouth Transformation Week is a bold step towards fulfilling this goal. Indeed all told, South African youth need work opportunities and not promises,

The EmpowaYouth Transformation Week kicks off on 3rd October and runs until the 9th. To view the programme and register, simply go to www.empowayouth.co.za

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