How Can SA CHROs Address Youth Unemployment?

This Duja Consulting video explores practical and impactful strategies for CHROs to lead in addressing youth unemployment in South Africa. With youth unemployment at critical levels, this video highlights how CHROs can implement initiatives that benefit young people and drive organisational and societal progress.

Key points include:

• Collaborating with educational institutions to align academic training with real-world skills through internships and work-based learning programs.
• Partnering with SETAs to leverage funding and large-scale youth development opportunities that benefit the private and public sectors.
• Creating youth-focused recruitment policies that make it easier for young, inexperienced job seekers to access the workforce.
• Promoting learnership, internship, or graduate programs that combine formal education with practical work experience to develop employable skills.
• Encouraging youth entrepreneurship by offering mentorship and resources to empower young innovators.
• Expanding remote work opportunities to include youth in rural and underserved areas, breaking down geographic barriers to employment.
• Fostering supportive workplace cultures prioritising mentorship, regular feedback, and growth for young employees.

By implementing these strategies, CHROs have the power to make a real difference in reducing youth unemployment while strengthening their organisations for the future.

Watch the video to learn how to create a brighter, more equitable future for South Africa.

Introduction

Youth unemployment in South Africa remains a significant challenge, with profound implications for the nation’s economic stability and social cohesion. As leaders responsible for talent strategies, CHROs have the power to implement meaningful solutions that create opportunities for young people and support long-term organisational and national growth. Here are ten impactful steps CHROs can take to address youth unemployment.

1. Collaborate with Educational Institutions

Partner with schools, colleges, and universities to align academic curricula with the skills needed in the workplace. Establish internships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning programs to bridge the gap between education and employment.

2. Create Youth-Focused Recruitment Policies

Refine hiring strategies to accommodate young, inexperienced job seekers. Design graduate programs, entry-level roles, and structured pathways to make it easier for young individuals to enter and succeed in the workforce.

3. Implement Learnerships, Internships or Graduate Programs

Introduce learnerships, internships, or graduate programs that combine formal education with practical work experience. These programs enable young people to gain recognised qualifications while acquiring hands-on skills that enhance their employability.

4. Invest in Skills Development

Offer upskilling and reskilling initiatives focused on digital skills, technical abilities, and essential soft skills such as communication and adaptability. These programs help young people remain competitive in a changing job market.

5. Support Youth Entrepreneurship

Encourage young entrepreneurs by providing mentorship, seed funding, or access to resources within your organisation. Collaborate with external partners to create incubators or accelerator programs for youth-led businesses.

6. Expand Remote Work Opportunities

Leverage the rise of remote work to open up job opportunities for youth in underserved or rural areas. Equip young people with the necessary tools and training to thrive in virtual workplaces.

7. Engage in Community Outreach

Collaborate with local communities to identify and recruit promising young talent. Encourage your workforce to participate in mentorship or volunteer programs that offer career guidance and skill development for the youth.

8. Leverage Digital Transformation

As businesses adopt automation and technology, create roles that align with the digital economy. These positions often require fresh perspectives and adaptability, making young people ideal candidates for such opportunities.

9. Utilise Employment Tax Incentives

Take advantage of government incentives designed to encourage youth hiring. Collaborate with your finance and compliance teams to incorporate these benefits into your organisation’s youth employment strategies.

10. Foster a Supportive Workplace Culture

Develop a culture that prioritises mentorship, regular feedback, and career development for young employees. Creating an environment where they feel valued and supported increases their likelihood of success and retention.

11. Collaborate Effectively with SETAs

Work closely with Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) to capitalise on their mandates to develop the skills of unemployed youth. SETAs often fund large-scale youth development initiatives and are eager to meet their targets for unemployed youth training. Collaborating with SETAs not only benefits the private sector but also strengthens the higher education and public training ecosystems, driving a more cohesive approach to youth empowerment.

Conclusion

CHROs have a pivotal role in addressing South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis. By implementing these eleven strategies, they can create opportunities for young people to enter the workforce, contribute to economic development, and secure the future of the nation. Tackling youth unemployment is not just a corporate responsibility but an opportunity for CHROs to drive meaningful, lasting change.