Minister Anroux Marais calls on unemployed youth to be part of positive change

Applications for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport’s YearBeyond Programme have opened and we are calling on unemployed youth aged between 18 and 25 to apply to be part of this exciting youth in service programme.

The YearBeyond Programme was started in 2015 to address the issue of youth unemployment in South Africa. Since its inception thousands of youth have completed the programme and over 75% have progressed to studies or work within 3 months of exiting the programme.

The Programme offers unemployed youth, who have finished Matric, an opportunity to give back to their communities by being reading champions, scout leaders, education activators in communities or helping learners in under-resourced schools address learning losses. As part of the Programme, YeBoneers also get the opportunity to improve their work readiness, emotional intelligence and agency skills. At the end of the programme youth receive a Certificate of Service, a bespoke reference letter highlighting the skills they have mastered and are introduced to opportunity providers at a career fair. In 2021, 964 youth successfully completed the programme.

Minister Marais said: “It is crucial that we offer our youth a hand up to get them started on their professional careers. Many of our young people do not have access to opportunities for further training after school and the YearBeyond Programme aims to bridge that gap, while also giving them the opportunity to give back to their community. YearBeyond provides participants with a meaningful work experience, a pathway into studies or work and a social and economic network.”

Youth interested in applying to this year’s intake, can find out more about the programme and criteria here.