Many young South Africans face hostile conditions in school-to-work transitions, irrespective of their education level. Some of these young people become disillusioned with the labour market and they revert to doing nothing to increase or to update their skills through education and training.

According to current trends, there will be 3.5 billion children and youth below the age of 25 by 2030, each looking to gain the digital, entrepreneurial and job-specific skills they need to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The school-to-work transition has been further hindered by the Covid pandemic. For many youths, the digital divide caused a lack of access to education and training. Affluent families were able to continue accessing this online, while those who are less fortunate, were mostly left behind.

Youth who were seeking labour market opportunities experienced further challenges; if they could not access online job opportunities, the lockdowns meant they were restricted in physically approaching employers and the economy did not grow meaningless jobs for the entire population.

SOS Children's Villages actively contributes to a skilled youth force with various programmes and partnerships. Through the 'YouthCan!' programme, SOS youth are exposed to vocational training opportunities such as hairdressing, hospitality skills, painting and interior designing.

They are provided with job shadowing opportunities at different companies and they are given learnership and internship opportunities. Corporate partnerships are leveraged to support young people to successfully manage the transition from school to independent adulthood.

Another SOS initiative, called 'YouthLinks', is a mentoring programme that links young people to mentors who can support them on their journey. It uses the power of technology to provide training and mentorship opportunities, overcoming geographical and professional limitations. It aims to support young people in building networks with experienced mentors and it provides engagement and development opportunities for corporate partner's employees.

The mentors have regular sessions with the young people to check in and make sure the youth are equipped and on their way to the labour market. 

"Youth who are equipped with skills which make them employable are empowered to become active and contributing members of society. This, in turn, contributes by adding more productive people to the workforce to grow the economy," says Peter Kotlolo, programme director and youth employability co-ordinator.

For more information, visit www.sossouthafrica.org.za. You can also follow the SOS Children's Villages South Africa on Facebook or on Twitter.