Company Announcement - In the run up to Workers Day on 1 May, Lyndy van den Barselaar, MD of workforce solutions provider Manpower South Africa notes the importance of finding a feasible solution to the ever-present challenge of youth unemployment in South Africa, in order to ensure a strong workforce for the future. “In order to create a future workforce that is in line with the country’s needs in terms of required skills for existing and growing industries, it is important that the issue of youth unemployment and up-skilling remains a keen focus for all,” she says.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Risk 2014 report, South Africa has the third highest unemployment rate in the world for people between the ages of 15 to 24.  This report states that 52% of young people in South Africa are unemployed, which is four times the figure for sub-Saharan Africa.  The report continued to identify Spain and Greece as countries our unemployment rate is treading alongside. The Economist reported that South Africa’s unemployment rate, like Greece’s, was sitting at 25%.  The differentiating factor being that Greece has been in an economic recession for the past 6 years whilst South Africa has experienced five years of growth – albeit rather minimal. South Africa’s youth unemployment rate rose from 32.7% to 36.1% between 2008 and 2014, making it higher than adult unemployment according to Stats SA, which places the country in a more precarious position than it’s counterparts.

It is estimated that in emerging marketing, two-thirds of the youth are not fulfilling their economic potential.  Van den Barselaar states that South Africa’s current youth employment landscape or rather lack thereof, requires joint efforts form the public and private sector and national and provincial government, if a notable change is be made. “Positive hiring intentions were evident in the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for the first and second quarter of the year and if this trend persists, we will soon see a gradual decline in our youth unemployment rate,” she adds.

She continued to say, “developing the necessary skills and knowledge amongst our youth will not only facilitate for increased youth employment, but will also assist in the fight against poverty and inequality in South Africa. It is important for organisations to offer internships or graduate programs to bridge the gap between the schooling and working environment and assist young people in gaining work experience to aid in their job hunting.” “If we want to see our economy developing, we need to invest in empowering and employing our youth, as soon as they leave school,” added van den Barselaar. Young people who find themselves jobless after leaving school grow dissatisfied and frustrated not only with their circumstances but their country as a whole. This kind of frustration does not aid national morale or a young person’s self-confidence. “Our youth can no longer remain as stored potential.”

Youth unemployment is not an issue the government can rectify without the aid of multinational, national and local organisations pulling together to make strides towards correcting the situation before it worsens. “We see growing opportunities being created for the youth to pursue primary, secondary and tertiary education in South Africa, and it is important that this trend is carried over into the evolving business landscape. Additionally, it is imperative that our youth, their mentors, guardians and teachers stay informed about how the country’s business landscape is evolving and what skills are in demand. This will assist them in making the most of any opportunities that avail themselves and ensuring that young people are able to make informed learning and career decisions that will not only shape their future, but the future of the South African economy and workforce,” van den Barselaar concludes.