The YES4Youth Programme – Is it Worth It for Your Company to Say Y.E.S?

The Youth Employment Service ( the YES programme) is a game-changer for businesses like yours and it is actually doing some serious good for the unemployed and inexperienced youth in our country. Let’s break it down in terms of what it is and how it can be beneficial to your business.

What is YES4YOUTH?

South Africa’s youth unemployment is a big issue with over 60% of individuals under 25 being unemployed. This problem is not just for the youth looking for a job but is actually one of the national challenges that face South Africa as a whole, which is why the President saw a need in introducing the YES programme to help solve this problem.

The YES Programme, launched in 2018, is a private sector-led initiative, backed by government and labour, to tackle youth unemployment head-on. The idea is simple: businesses like yours hire young, unemployed South Africans (aged 18-29) for 12-month, full-time work experiences. These aren’t internships or learnerships, they are proper jobs with a stipend, giving youth real-world skills and experience.

Why Should You Participate as a Business Owner?

YES4Youth can boost your B-BBEE scorecard. By hiring YES youth, you can climb up to two levels on your Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment rating, depending on how many you employ relative to your targets. For example, if you’ve got a medium-sized business, hiring just a few YES candidates could push you from, say, a Level 4 to a Level 2. That’s a big deal for winning tenders or attracting clients who prioritize transformation.

But it’s not just about compliance. The programme actually also brings fresh talent into your business. These young people are not just eager to learn but are also tech-savvy, and ready to bring fresh ideas that align with the requirements and thought process of the 4IR.

If you’re a big company with a headcount freeze however, you can still participate in the YES programme by sponsoring the placements of the youth at smaller businesses or NGOs, which still earns you those B-BBEE points without needing to manage extra headcount yourself. YES4YOUTH is flexible.

How Does It Actually Work?

The first step is to register with the YES4Youth organization, who will assist with determining your targets as well as match you with the right candidates. These are typically matriculants or graduates who are unemployed and keen to work. You pay them a stipend – around R5000 to R10,000 a month, depending on the role and industry and provide meaningful work experience. YES also offers support, like training modules, to ensure the youth are work-ready.

You can place them in your own operations or, if you’re a larger business, fund placements at SMEs or community organizations.

YES can save you money on B-BBEE compliance costs, open doors to new contracts, and build a pipeline of talent you can shape to fit your needs. Plus, there’s the feel-good factor, you are actually helping young South Africans break the cycle of unemployment, which strengthens the economy we all depend on.

If you are not yet participating in the YES4Youth Programme, what are you waiting for? Competitors and other businesses are already jumping on board. In an environment where it was difficult to achieve a level 1 BBBEE rating, companies are utilizing the YES4Youth programme to ensure they achieve the best possible BBBEE outcome. Do not get left behind.