Boundless Consulting managing director Sipho Classen has introduced a bold initiative to combat youth unemployment in South Africa.
The Ten Thousand Jobs initiative aims to secure jobs in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. This is through public-private partnerships, for both graduates and unqualified young people seeking employment.
Classen said this was one way of shaping the future workforce in the country. In this way, less burden is placed on government to find them jobs.
He said the initiative has found placements for more than 600 youth and graduates since its inception in January. This was in collaboration with sector host employers.
Goal is to secure 10,000 permanent jobs
The speed is meant to catch up with the final goal, which is securing 10,000 permanent jobs for all involved. Those who started under the 12-months work experience placements.
The initiative has secured collaboration of 97 host employers in the identified sectors to offer on-the-job training. Trainees are to receive a stipend.
The stipend is calculated at R4, 782 per employer per month. This as Ten Thousand Jobs initiative has raised R18, 707 184 in stipend funding.
Classen said they were currently in talks with a Qatar-based hospitality company. This would offer participants an opportunity for international experience.
While the initiative opened its doors for the youth, Classen said it was unfortunate that some of the candidates dump their jobs. This they do even before completing the first 12-months of the contract.
Challenges in keeping Gen Z group on the programme
Their observations found that most people left because they could not handle the fast-paced nature of the sectors. This did not meet the social media influencer requirements as to their (employees) liking.
“We have to be honest that the people who leave are also usually the youth. [It’s the youth] who are academically unqualified to work in the industry. But this cannot stop us from encouraging people to apply because some of them really need these jobs. Ad most of these jobs are easy to learn on the go,” said Classen.
“It is not easy for a graduate to just up and leave because they went to school for this and knew what to expect. The long hours, constant customer complaints, and need for extra-shift do not usually bother them. But these are the reasons that others leave. Our Gen Z don’t find this compatible with ‘Instagram’ lifestyle.”
Looking to adapt sector to retain the youth
He said this made them realise that the sectors should be changed to be a fun environment for all. However, it was unfortunate that the pace needed from employees to keep the industry moving was not easy to change.
He said the entitlement of the new generation would possibly be its downfall. This especially if they do not understand that people need to start somewhere. They do not immediately jump to office positions or earning three-figure salaries.
“We would like people to apply. [But] we also conduct a screening. This is where we analyse if an applicant would be able to handle the pressure that comes with working within [the sector]. Both graduates and young people. What we want is to find permanent jobs and beat unemployment,” he said.
