Government-Funded Initiative Offers One Year Of Work Experience To Western And Eastern Cape Youth

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport announced Wednesday that the department is providing work experience via education programs to unemployed youth, aged between 18 and 25 under the Year Beyond Youth Service Program for 2024.

The education programs have been opened for young people living in the Western as well as Eastern Cape. To enroll in the programs, an individual requires at least a matric certificate alongside minimum marks in language or math.

The Year Beyond platform allows young people to get one year of working experience, which would help them get a job in the market and also give back to their communities.

The selected applicants will be recruited in schools and community hubs, where they will be able to assist students as well as parents. This program is run by national government funding and facilitated by the Western Cape Year Beyond team.

"The opportunity to provide youth in the Eastern Cape with this experience is an important part of skills development beyond the Western Cape," as per the provincial department's official statement, SA News reported.

The department noted that the program had been successful in the previous year as 96% of participants believed the work experience helped them to know their skills better and 95% of them felt they were ready to work or study hard.

Whereas, between 75% and 78% of Year Beyond platform participants have become economically active in the world of employment or study - or a combination of the two after finishing the program.

"I encourage our young people to apply for this opportunity. It is a great program for our youth which equips them with skills for entering the world of work or study," said Western Cape MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sport Anroux Marais.

"We want to give our youth a hand up to become successful and active members of society who contribute not only to the economy but also serve their communities," Marais added.

To participate in the program, individuals can visit yearbeyond.org/apply to enroll in the program. According to the website, participants should also create their profile on the SAYouth.Mobi datafree website, adding that the deadline for applying is Feb. 18.

The South African government seems to be paying attention to the education sector, as the federal government announced last week that it will withdraw the recognition of universities from Kenya, Uganda, and Niger for allegedly issuing fake degrees.