Premier & Minister Marais laud YearBeyond programme as careers fairs take off

Joint Media Release: Premier & Minister Marais laud YearBeyond programme as careers fairs take off

YearBeyond - a Youth Service Programme dedicated to empowering youth with invaluable work experiences, personal and professional development training, and pathway support - has kicked off the first in a series of Careers Fairs in Cape Town. Fairs will also be held in the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route this month.

Earlier this week, the YearBeyond Programme was honoured with the 2023 Social Justice Bridge Builder award. The awards are run annually by the Centre for Social Justice (Stellenbosch University) in collaboration with Champion South Africa and the Council of Social Justice Champions.

“For us as a department, this award reflects our commitment to building bridges and specifically focusing on creating and connecting youths to opportunities. I am very proud of the YearBeyond programme," said Anroux Marais, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport.

The YearBeyond Careers Fair serves as a pivotal platform for our YeBoneers, offering them the opportunity to broaden their career horizons and interact with industry professionals and training providers. YearBeyond takes pride in providing essential Pathway and Progression support to young people, ensuring they are well-equipped to thrive in their chosen career paths.

Premier Alan Winde said, “Faced with a massive youth unemployment crisis, initiatives such as YearBeyond, the 1000 days of Opportunities, and others are not only bringing hope to our young people but also offer tangible opportunities for them to realise their full potential. Our government places immense emphasis on the well-being of our children. From their first thousand days, through their education journey and onto enabling them to find a place in the job market we, are demonstrating that we are a caring and responsive government that wants to see every single young person making a success of their life. I am very proud of our YearBeyond Programme. It is making a big difference in the lives of many youths.”

This year's Cape Metro Career Fair features an impressive lineup of over 80 Industry Partners spanning various sectors, including Agriculture, Banking/Financial, BPO/Call Centers, Manufacturing, Retail, Nature Conservation, Education, Tech, Hospitality, and Tourism.

Notably, a special section focusing on the Hustle Economy was introduced, featuring 16 partners ready to offer training, inspiration, and support for young entrepreneurs eager to kickstart their own businesses or transform their "side hustles" into thriving ventures.

Minister Marais added, "The YearBeyond Careers Fairs are an example of how we are partnering with the private sector, highlighting the key role it plays in supporting our YeBoneers as they prepared to transition onto their next chapter after YearBeyond. I want to thank our partners who put up their hands and who are joining us as we tackle the problem of youth unemployment in the province and the country.”

Furthermore, Minister Marais expressed her gratitude to the Premier for making time to visit the Careers Fair.

For companies and organisations interested in coming on board as an opportunity provider email: yearbeyond@westerncape.gov.za

About YearBeyond:

YearBeyond is a Youth Service Programme dedicated to empowering young individuals with the tools they need to thrive in the professional world. Through meaningful work experiences, personal and professional development training, and pathway support, YearBeyond ensures that the youth of Cape Town are well-prepared for the future.

www.yearbeyond.org