YES is a South African government-sponsored program that aims to give young individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 relevant work experience and employment opportunities. The plan is to offer 1 million jobs for youths within the next several years in an effort to decrease unemployment and equip them with skills and experience that will enhance their future employment.
The initiative targets various sectors in the economy, including retail, manufacturing, technology, and so on. The initiative offers youth in South Africa on-the-job training, sustained skills development, and permanent employment in the future.
The YES Commitment by the Foschini Group
Being one of South Africa’s leading retailers, The Foschini Group (TFG) has come a long way to embracing the hand of the YES program. Having numerous brands like Foschini, Markham, Sportsmans Warehouse, and Woolworths under its belt, TFG coming onboard the YES platform is a show of its commitment towards empowering youth and corporate citizenship.
Through this partnership, TFG has enabled the creation of hundreds of employment opportunities for young people in various roles across the retail and fashion sectors, among the largest employers in South Africa. The positions are designed to allow youth to gain valuable experience, from customer service and sales through supply chain management and merchandising.
Impact on Youth Employment in Gauteng
The Gauteng province is famously known as the economic hub of South Africa, comprising of Johannesburg and Pretoria. Therefore, it attracts a massive amount of young job seekers, making it the center for youth job programs.
TFG’s presence in YES in Gauteng has made a life-altering difference to communities at grassroots level, offering young people not just short-term employment but actual exposure to retail environments, career guidance, and invaluable workplace training. Young people who have been through this program have enhanced their chances of securing permanent employment, both within TFG and elsewhere, by establishing solid career foundations.
Tick the boxes below and you might just get a YES from us!
- Aged between 18 to 28 years old
- Matric (Preferable)
- Available and willing to work a fixed term 12-month contract
- Should not have been employed permanently with a single employer continuously for more than 1 year
- Should not be studying full time in the year of employment (April 25 – March 26)
- Should not have participated or been registered on the YES programme before
- Accommodation and transportation for the applicants own account (if applicable)
HOW TO APPLY
Although South Africa continues to struggle with elevated youth unemployment levels, initiatives like YES – Youth Employment Service and business partnerships like The Foschini Group’s collaborations give cause for optimism. By focusing on empowering young people in Gauteng with the skills, experience, and opportunity needed to thrive, TFG is working to transform the country’s face of workers.
Looking forward, the continued success of YES will be a driving force for creating a more inclusive and sustainable economy for generations to come. The Foschini Group’s youth employment and empowerment efforts are a benchmark for other companies that investing in young people is not just a business need but a secret to building a prosperous South Africa.
