The WILDTRUST, through the unbelievable support and commitment of Nedbank, are participating in the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme, aimed at reducing youth unemployment levels. The YES programme provides a one-year work-based job training experience aimed at affording unemployed youth (between the ages of 18 and 35) practical and meaningful work opportunities.
The Youth Employment Service (YES) was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in March 2018 and came into operation in November 2018 following the release of changes to the B-BBEE legislation. YES is a joint initiative between government, business, labour and civil society which aims to reduce the youth unemployment rate in the country.
Tashmia Ismail-Saville, CEO of the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme: “Creating sustainable work opportunities for the youth is a national priority and we are grateful for partners like Nedbank and the WILDTRUST who are walking this journey with us and who are prepared to offer quality work experiences.”
1 715 youth will be given work opportunities through the WILDTRUST YES Sustainability Impact Project which is providing youth with jobs in office administration, ecotourism, recycling and waste management, environmental education, communication, land care, sustainability, conservation and early childhood development. The WILDTRUST, with its WILDLANDS (terrestrial) and WILDOCEANS (marine) programmes offers diverse and unique opportunities for youth to immerse themselves in an experiential journey that will directly or indirectly impact the environment for the better.
“Essentially 1 715 agents of change will be mobilised across the country – in our WILDTRUST project nodes and through partnering with a number of grassroot organisations,” said WILDTRUST CEO, Dr Andrew Venter. “Each and every young recruit will receive 24 modules of online training from YES, most will embark on a further 24 days of accredited and non-accredited training, as well as receive a comprehensive CV upon their exit– ensuring that they are exceptionally well prepared to secure permanent employment after their year of work experience.”
Launching the programme officially last week in Tembisa (26 April) Mike Brown, Nedbank Chief Executive, explained that Nedbank is committed to playing its part to address structural and socioeconomic challenges in the country such as poverty, inequality and unemployment to improve the lives of all South Africans. “As an organization operating in the community, we understand that the success of our business is intricately linked to the success of the communities we serve,” Brown explains. “Our Purpose of being financial experts who do good extends beyond our lending and transactional activities. We embrace our role in society as a change agent and contributors to building a thriving and more inclusive economy.”
“The YES Programme has not only pulled me out of the rut of unemployment but has also given me the opportunity to develop my character and skills within the field of what I studied for,” said Andile Mthethwa, WILDLANDS’ Communications Intern. “Through this programme, I hope to create a career portfolio for myself within the Marketing department of WILDLANDS, by adding value and acquiring a great deal of marketing information and practical lessons.”
Mbusiswa Latha who joined the programme as a WILDOCEANS Ambassador said he was very grateful to be part of YES. “My dream is to get into eco-tourism, and I plan to invest in an eco-marine park on the beach on the Bluff in Durban. It will be a place where all ocean lovers and users come together and enjoy themselves in a marine friendly manner,” said Mbusiswa.
“This project has given me the ability to provide for my family and learn about environmental issues,” said Sibusiso Dlamini, a YES intern working on our Recycling projects. “I now realise what a big role recycling plays in the health of the planet and ourselves. I am excited about the next 12 months and plan to make the most of this opportunity.”
Speaking at the launch event in Tembisa, Dr Venter said – “Don’t get bogged down by the realities of today and focus on unlocking the potential of tomorrow.”