Youth unemployment in SA is increasing – where to from here?

YOUTH unemployment in South Africa is over 52%. That’s about 3.8 million young people aged 15-34.

They account for 63% of the total 27% (six million) unemployed and they represent the future.

With no sustainable solutions to the youth employment crisis on the horizon, it’s time for businesses to act.

Young people have little opportunity for economic inclusion. With the youth crises growing globally– 71 million people aged 15-24 years are unemployed worldwide, according to the International Labour Organisation and the skills pool in South Africa is shrinking rapidly – businesses and HR leaders need to find workable strategies that will help them meet the immediate and future needs of their businesses.

The challenge is significant. Many young people exit the secondary education system without matric. Only 30% of school leavers have a college or university entrance, and many of these are unable to financially access further education.

With no skills or work experience, businesses are reluctant to employ them. Training, mentoring and managing youth to the point of productivity is not only a costly, time intensive process, it’s also a risky investment.

Once skilled up, there are no guarantees that these resources will remain loyal to the company.

The challenge is to find a way to drive economic inclusion for young people while also growing the country’s skills pool.

The question is, how can businesses provide youth with the skills and experience they need and get a sure return on their investment?

Temporary Employment Solutions (TES) companies can play a role in resolving this challenge.

TES companies place, manage and pay thousands of temporary staff weekly, of which a high percentage are young people.

These workers are placed in myriad industries, from agriculture to retail, manufacturing, construction, mining and the corporate sector. It’s a legally compliant, fully managed solution that delivers results for businesses and workers – but is especially beneficial for youth entering the workplace.

The business model ensures that youth can acquire and grow their skills and experience, while the businesses that employ them do not have to deal with the overhead that goes with training, mentoring and managing performance.

The goal is not just to ensure the employer gets the job delivered, but that workers’ needs are met.

The greatest challenge for young people is their lack of workplace experience. Simple rules like arriving at work on time, meeting deadlines, complying with safety and security policies, being accountable and behaving in a professional manner when engaging with colleagues need to be conveyed and their importance emphasised.

Tebogo Moalusi is the national IR director at Workforce Staffing