In a bid to address the critical shortage of tech skills and combat the tide of youth unemployment in South Africa, Entersekt has partnered with several organizations dedicated to youth empowerment. Being Youth Month, Arno Kemp, our VP of Growth and Transformation, casts light on these important initiatives.
In recent years, unemployment in South Africa has been a source of grave concern: youth unemployment is the highest it has been in decades, with the number of unemployed youth reaching a staggering 4,700,000 in the first quarter of 2022.
Despite this rather somber statistic, though, there is still a lot to celebrate this Youth Month. As we remember the events of June 16, 1976 (now commemorated as Youth Day each year), there are several inspiring stories from young people in our country – and even at Entersekt, thanks to partnerships with some incredible organizations.
Partnering for youth empowerment
Yes4Youth is a business-led collaboration that aims to empower young South Africans and create meaningful work opportunities. To date, dozens of unemployed youths in and around Entersekt’s hometown of Stellenbosch have been fortunate enough to participate in the YES 12-month work experience program.
The program equips youths with the tools they need to advance themselves and be beacons of hope for their families. The résumé and reference letter they receive at the end of the program afford them a far greater chance of being granted an interview.
Thanks to the MiDO Foundation, many of these youths have also been given the opportunity to enhance not only their digital skills, but their employment readiness and interpersonal skills too.
Entersekt supports youth empowerment through partnerships with organizations such as Yes4Youth and the MiDO Foundation.
These brave and committed youths deserve to be commended. Their desire to learn and improve, sometimes under extremely challenging personal and socio-economic circumstances, has paid off. Many have been placed in permanent positions where they continue to learn new skills and build their careers.
Entersekt is honored to support and be associated with both important causes.
Youth internships that matter
Back at Entersekt HQ, we couldn’t be prouder of our team of Quality Assurance (QA) interns that joined us a few months ago. In partnership with Dejaru Skills, eight previously unemployed youngsters are being upskilled in the areas of quality assurance, professionalism, and work readiness
These interns have been on a life-changing journey. They have not only grown and learned, but their passion, commitment, and eagerness to excel have been truly remarkable and worthy of celebration.
Capturing the true spirit of Youth Month – Entersekt’s eight QA interns on a path to greatness.
Their hope and ours is for them to follow in the footsteps of the several young software engineers who have joined Entersekt’s teams on various development pathways. These young people have triumphed in the face of adversity, often having come from challenging circumstances. Despite these obstacles, they have committed themselves to unwavering dedication and secured permanent employment as graduate software engineers, right here at Entersekt.
Investing in young talent to enrich the industry
The war on software engineering talent rages on. But, with ongoing investment into programs and initiatives that nurture young talent, Entersekt hopes to play its part in changing the landscape – not only for the youth of South Africa, but within the technology industry at large.
So, this Youth Month, let us commend and celebrate every young person who is currently employed, and rally around those with a genuine drive to learn, grow, and reach their employment goals.
Because, as Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Calling engineering graduates! If you’ve completed a degree in computer science or software engineering from UCT or Stellenbosch University, you could be eligible to join our graduate program. Learn more.
