Recruits start work experience journey

NEDBANK Group recently welcomed and inducted 3 315 previously unemployed youths who have begun their 12-month Youth Employment Service (YES) journey with the group.

Nedbank said it had signed on to give the young people a first work experience as part of its commitment to the YES initiative, nation-building and delivering on its purpose of using its financial expertise to do good.

YES, which was born out of the CEO Initiative, was launched in March last year by President Cyril Ramaphosa as a joint initiative between the government, business, labour and civil society. It was set up to be part of a collective effort to address the youth unemployment crisis facing our country.

To date, about 18 000 recruits have been placed at various companies through YES initiatives, with 3 315 starting at Nedbank and its implementation partners last week.

“We are excited to be welcoming the youth intake and walking this new journey with them as they use the opportunity of a first job to develop their skills and experience to become leaders and inspiring, job-creating entrepreneurs,” said Nedbank group chief executive Mike Brown.

“We are certain that the experience gained over the year they spend with us and our placement partners will be vital in affording them better opportunities.

“Youth and SMEs are the backbone to driving inclusive economic growth and unlocking job opportunities,” he said.

His group understood that its success was inextricably linked to the success of the communities in which it operated, he said.

“We embrace our role in society as a change agent, as a contributor to nation-building and an enabler of higher levels of inclusive, transformative economic growth.”

Ramaphosa, who spoke at the induction ceremony, told the recruits that their 12-month stints as part of the programme did not have to be the end of their career aspirations.

“You should use this opportunity to take up other opportunities, open new doors and rise to greater heights,” he said.