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At a recent roundtable discussion hosted by youth development group Afrika Tikkun and tech giant Microsoft, business leaders from South Africa's largest corporations questioned whether the country's unemployment problem is due to a lack of jobs or a mismatch between the skills that young people have and the skills that employers need. During the dialogue held under the theme Skills Gap, Youth Employability and Employment industry leaders also identified a critical issue that is hindering progress in South Africa's skill development ecosystem: a lack of coordination and collaboration between employers and those who provide young people with skills. They warned that this lack of collaboration is allowing the skill gap to grow wider. While much of government policy and efforts by the skills and education sector focus on providing as many young people as possible with a wide range of skills and qualifications, employers are still struggling to fill vacancies in tech, finance and other growing sectors without hiring from outside SA or struggling to retain the small pool of skilled individuals in these crucial industries. Read the full article on Bizcommunity: https://lnkd.in/g4g5sxBY

"STEPPING UP YOUTH EMPLOYABILITY FOR JOBS AND BETTER LIFE CHANCES" A very insightful article on youth employability authored by Vera Ng’oma, Country Director British Council Malawi. The author adds a very important note on the collaborative approach needed to tackle youth #employability. ‘’The youth employability agenda must go beyond individual programmes, embracing a bold, continent-wide ambition, collective leadership, and imaginative approaches that involve the agency of young people facing these challenges.'' Bold interventions proposed in the article. 🔊 Revitalizing the vision for employability 🔊 Building skills with the workforce in mind 🔊 Empowering through digital 🔊 Adopting a pipeline approach 🔊 Moving the needle on gender equity Nations: Your leadership is the most potent tool to coordinate the vision; programming and implementation to enhance youth employability. #employability #socialimpact #youthemployment https://lnkd.in/dtmRf6p3

On World Youth Skills Day we are glad to highlight our portfolio organisation Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator and how their model is changing young South Africans’ lives by tackling key barriers of youth unemployment in the country.   Harambee works with government, civil society, and over 1,300 employer partners to support millions of young South Africans seeking and finding work. Harambee’s goal is to transform the work-seeking experience of 3 million youth over the next 5 years, including enabling skilling and work opportunities for 1 million applicants.   Harambee bridges the gap between high-potential youth and entry-level jobs by partnering with employers and offering work-readiness programmes to boost employability. They actively create industry alliances to create jobs and incentivise youth hiring, and engage with governments to channel resources towards combating unemployment. Through these partnerships, Harambee creates robust pathways for young people to enter the workforce.   Find out more in the video below!   #WorldYouthSkillsDay #VenturePhilanthropy #YouthUnemployment

Youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge in Kenya, hindering the nation's progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8). If I were the president of kenya I would work on the following areas to end youth unemployment in the country by 2030; Education and Skill Development. A critical step in combating youth unemployment is enhancing education and skill development programs. Aligning educational curricula with the demands of the job market and promoting technical and vocational training can equip the youth with the skills necessary for the 21st-century workforce. Collaboration between educational institutions, government, and industry stakeholders can bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application, preparing young people for the challenges of the job market. Entrepreneurship and Small Business Support. Encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting small businesses (SMEs) are pivotal in creating sustainable employment opportunities in the country. The government should establish favorable policies and provide financial incentives for young entrepreneurs. Incubation centers and mentorship programs can guide aspiring business owners, fostering innovation and economic growth. Additionally, creating a conducive business environment through streamlined regulatory processes can attract foreign and domestic investments, leading to the expansion of industries and job creation in Kenya. Digital Literacy and Technology Integration. In an era dominated by technology, digital literacy is indispensable for employability. Implementing programs that enhance digital skills among the youth will open doors to opportunities in the rapidly evolving digital economy. The integration of technology into various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing, can create new avenues for employment. Initiatives such as coding bootcamps, online learning platforms, and partnerships with technology firms can empower the youth to adapt and thrive in the digital age. Public-Private Partnerships. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential for sustainable youth employment. Government initiatives should involve partnerships with private enterprises to identify labor market needs and create tailor-made solutions. This can include internship programs, on-the-job training, and apprenticeships that expose young individuals to real-world work experiences, enhancing their employability and bridging the gap between education and employment. Social Safety Nets and Inclusive Policies. To ensure decent work conditions, social safety nets and inclusive policies must be implemented. Fair labor laws, non-discriminatory hiring practices, and gender-sensitive policies contribute to creating a work environment that promotes equality and respect Global Shapers Community Faith Mutheu UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency FHI 360 ACCA Texas A&M University Kenya Airways INUA AI

🚀 Insights from our Empowering African Youth Skills Gap survey reveal a concerning trend: over 64% of respondents identify as Unemployed University graduates based on their academic and employment status, with only 20% classified as Employed graduates. While not surprising, these figures prompt critical reflections on the challenges faced by both employers and government agencies combating unemployment. The implications are profound. A significant portion of these young graduates may resort to running small businesses for survival, but the majority seems to be disengaged from education, employment, or training opportunities. This situation raises a crucial question: What are young African doing when not involved in any form of employment? Considering the broader landscape of youth activities outside formal employment, we recognize the need for further exploration. An additional survey focusing on the activities and pursuits of young individuals during periods of non-employment could offer valuable insights. We invite you to share your thoughts on this matter, as we collectively seek a better understanding of the challenges faced by our youth in the current economic environment. 🌟 Our mission: Closing the skills gap between Africa's dynamic youth and the ever-evolving industry landscape. 🔍 A significant hurdle? The scarcity of robust data on workforce development, particularly in skills alignment. 🌍 Africa Skills Alliance is gearing up for a transformative shift in workforce development throughout Africa, armed with evidence-based, data-driven policy insights. 📊 🔗 Dive into the survey here: [Empowering African Youths: Bridging the Skills Gap](https://lnkd.in/g7xjt799) 🌐 Your insights hold the power to shape decisions for developmental organizations and CSOs, grounded in valuable data. Please share survey across your youth networks too🙏 💡 Interested in collaboration or partnership? Reach out to us at africaskillsalliance@gmail.com. Cheers to a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2024, filled with renewed hope for Africa’s youth! 🎉 #AfricaSkillsAlliance #WorkforceEmpowerment #DataDrivenPolicies 🌍✨

In the words of entrepreneur and business mogul, Tony Elumelu, Joblessness is the betrayal of a generation. How are we stepping up on youth employability in sub–Saharan Africa? #internationalyouthday https://lnkd.in/dAmsWbXt

Creating Solutions to Youth Unemployment Through Education in Africa In the vast expanse of Africa, the age group of 15 to 24 faces a pressing challenge, constituting nearly 200 million individuals, with 40% actively part of the workforce and a staggering 60% grappling with unemployment. The key question: What causes this issue, and how can education be the antidote? The Root Causes: Understanding the roots of Africa's high youth unemployment reveals multifaceted challenges. Limited access to quality education, curriculum-industry mismatches, and insufficient job creation opportunities etc., contribute with economic instability. Educational and Economic Disparities: Youth unemployment is fueled by these disparities across the continent. Unequal access to quality education and job opportunities based on location, gender, etc., can create a divided workforce, with some possessing market demand skills and others lacking such opportunities. Technological Lag: In an era dominated by technological advancements, a lack of digital literacy and access to technology leaves a significant portion of Africa's youth unemployed. The Fourth Industrial Revolution demands tech proficiency, leaving the unskilled excluded from emerging job markets. Solutions: Addressing these root causes is urgent, highlighting the paramount role of education as a catalyst for change, fostering a skilled, adaptable workforce. Bridging the Educational Gap: Collaboration between governments and institutions can bridge the gap, updating curricula, integrating vocational training, and promoting digital literacy to equip youth with market demand skills. Fostering Inclusivity and Equality: This solution ensures equal access to education and employment opportunities are vital. Policies prioritizing marginalized communities, promoting gender equality, and investing in underserved regions foster a more inclusive job market. Embracing Technological Integration: Access to digital resources, incorporating coding and digital skills, and fostering innovation hubs empower Africans to contribute to the evolving technological landscape. Entrepreneurial Education: This nurtures a generation not solely reliant on traditional employment. But also innovation. It empowers Africans to create opportunities, leading to economic growth and job creation. Industry-Academia Collaboration: Strategic collaboration between educational institutions and industries is instrumental. This facilitates internships and real world exposure, enhancing students' practical knowledge and employability. In conclusion, navigating Africa's youth unemployment requires holistic education-focused approaches. Addressing root causes through the above is an investment in a prosperous and empowered continent. #CareerConnect2024, #Moulding4Work2024, Global Youth Forum, Omondi Peter, Cheboi Millicent. I invite you to take on this challenge friends! Alex Muigai, Yvonne Auma, Suleiman Nurow, Faith Obi.

We believe that the effort to increase and strengthen youth engagement, participation and active citizenship across #Europe and globally will not be achieved without the meaningful involvement of young people. On the final day of #EuropeanYouthWeek, we reflect on the 2017 Pan-African Youth Empowerment (PAYE) Conference on youth employability, organised by SOS Children's Villages International and the African Union to give young people an opportunity to explore the themes of job creation, entrepreneurship and self-reliance. In preparation for the event, we conducted participatory design research with a one-week exploration lab with #youth from five countries—Nigeria, South Africa, Cape Verde, Kenya, and The Gambia—to ensure their perspectives on employability and #entrepreneurship were included during the conference. Lab activities were designed to encourage participants to capture their daily experiences, future dreams and take photos of their everyday lives. We collected these photos through WhatsApp groups, which allowed us to provide feedback and encouragement. During the conference, we facilitated a creative design session, which resulted in a schematic overview of an ecosystem that could lead to increased job creation for youth. The ecosystem examines #education and job-building opportunities as well as investment opportunities for start-ups run by youth. This concept for a stand-alone programme, created by the youths themselves, was then delivered to SOS Children’s Villages International. #EUYouthWeek #VoiceYourVision #YouthEmpowerment #Future

Massive youth unemployment benefits no one. "Between 8 million and 11 million African youth will enter the labour market every year in the coming decades." -  World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 Guidance and mentorship are critical interventions in employability programs. It's not just about empowering youth with skills, but also teaching them to navigate the ultra-competitive job market and the world of work. An integrated approach combining skilling and guidance is a powerful tool. This synergy bridges the gap between acquiring skills and applying them effectively in real-world scenarios. It helps youth understand industry demands, identify suitable career paths, and develop soft skills crucial for workplace success. Africa's future hangs in the balance. We must unite to empower and guide our youth now. Time is of the essence – their potential is our continent's lifeline. #ikokazike #youthemployment

https://lnkd.in/eMDEGuB6 The theme of the webinar is “Tackling the Enigma of Youth Unemployment,” with a particular focus on job creation for youth through a symbiotic partnership between governments and private sector actors. There is untapped potential for West African countries to transform their economic structures from low-skilled, labor-intensive manufacturing industries to value-added industries, leading to industrialization. Enhanced collaboration between government agencies and private sector actors could create a more stable and secure operational environment, as well as a favorable business climate, ultimately leading to the creation of millions of job and career opportunities. Banque d'Investissement et de Développement de la CEDEAO