SOUTH AFRICA: Youth take part in specialized training to build self-sufficiency
Growing youth unemployment addressed through program
SOUTH AFRICA
(MissionNewswire) Salesian Institute Youth Projects, located in Cape Town, is offering a beacon of hope for youth facing unemployment in South Africa. Its programs include the NEETs (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) Employability Program, designed to equip youth with critical skills and opportunities for economic independence.
NEET serves youth aged 18-27 who are not taking part in employment, education or training. These youth face significant barriers to self-sufficiency and sustainable livelihoods. To address these needs, the institute offers life skills training combined with vocation skills training and project-based learning.
A Salesian explained, “This innovative framework not only reintroduces disengaged youth to education but also nurtures entrepreneurial thinking and provides exposure to real-world work environments. The program targets disadvantaged communities in the greater Cape Town area, fostering social transformation by equipping youth with skills that drive both individual and community-level economic growth.”
The program offers two specialized training streams. The New Venture Creation program is an accredited course that spans 12 months and culminates in a Further Education and Training Certificate. The curriculum provides entrepreneurial skills, business acumen, and hands-on workplace experience, enabling youth to launch their own businesses or enter the job market with confidence.
The Solar Photovoltaic Installer/Mounter course recognizes the growing demand for skilled professionals in the renewable energy sector. This accredited course is offered as a six- or 12-month program. Participants are required to have finished at least grade 11. They gain both theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in installing and maintaining solar photovoltaic systems.
“These experiences give young professionals the chance to apply their skills and gain real-world experience. By supporting this initiative, Cape Town’s public and private sectors can actively drive social change, reduce unemployment and create a better trained, more skilled workforce,” said the Salesian.
Salesian Institute Youth Projects has been providing education, emotional support and skills development training for youth who are vulnerable or at risk in Cape Town since 1910. It has been instrumental in changing the lives of hundreds of youth who would otherwise not have been able to access the job market.
Poverty is extensive in South Africa with more than half the population and more than 63% of children living below the poverty line, according to UNICEF. A significant percentage of the population struggles to survive on less than $1 a day. The country is plagued by high crime rates and violence against women and girls, and it has been the hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS crisis in the world. There is an urgent need for education to help prevent the spread of the deadly virus and to help lift youth out of poverty.
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Salesian Institute Youth Projects
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Salesian Missions – South Africa
UNICEF – South Africa
