Ongoing job losses as the ailing economy tries to fight off the effects of the Covid pandemic are of grave concern to all South Africans but, there is some fightback from big business.
Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) has welcomed its next group of Youth Employment Service (YES) candidates.
The YES programme, which was launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2018 with the aim to afford young South Africans paid work experience, has offered many young individuals the opportunity to increase their employability.
This year Isuzu placed 42 candidates in various departments across the company and its subsidiaries.
Wayne Osborne, Isuzu Motors South Africa Senior Manager of Training and Organisational Development, said the company is fully committed to the growth and development of young South Africans, adding despite challenging conditions and COVID-19 restrictions, last year’s group performed very well.
“About 10% of last year’s candidates were successful in their respective external job applications while Isuzu will retain about 21% of them, primarily in our production operations.
“This year we have once again recruited talented individuals, several of them with a tertiary qualification, but with no work experience. And again, we partnered with Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator in terms of recruitment and job readiness training.
“We also involved ENGELI Enterprise Development in the skilling of the candidates, prior to them starting at the company. We believe this programme provides an opportunity to gain skills, learn workplace discipline and to grow and develop on a personal level.”
According to Stats SA in 2020, that the youth unemployment rate in South Africa was at 55,75%. The youth aged between 15 and 24 years are the most vulnerable in the South African labour market.
