It’s more important than ever to instil optimism in our youth from a young age. Skills, social development, and the ability of our youth to dream about a bright future are key to turning around a struggling economy.

And of course, the presence of opportunity…

Entrepreneurship can help the process of providing opportunities much faster than government programs can, but it requires closer collaboration between the public and private sectors.

The unemployment dilemma in South Africa

South Africa currently has an overall unemployment rate of around 34%. The youth unemployment rate, measuring job-seekers between 15 and 24 years old, fell to 61.4% in the second quarter of 2022, the lowest in almost two years (source: Statistics South Africa).

These statistics are discouraging for any high school student hoping to get a job after graduation. Many schools are running programs to teach students some of the basics of running a business or working as an employee. Yet, there is still a gap in getting our youth employed or at least connected to the available opportunities.

There are quite a few skills-development hubs around South Africa that provide further education like finishing schools to prepare graduates for employment, but even there, it’s hard to get graduates enrolled. Not for lack of effort by these institutions, but sometimes hampered by general socio-economic conditions and sometimes lack of funding for these institutions.

How to connect school (and university) graduates to Entrepreneurs

Connected is a loaded term.

“Thanks to a growing body of research, we know today that internet access appears to lead to greater economic activity and other beneficial economic impacts in many, though not all, developing country contexts.” – World Bank

The cost of connectivity is still a hindrance in developing countries. There is a big challenge when it comes to allowing more people to connect to the internet. Not only is there the issue of affordability and access to internet-enabled devices, but also the challenge of getting online in rural or underserved areas. But companies like Too Much Wifi are helping to address this problem by bringing connectivity to those areas where it’s traditionally been difficult to get online.

Skills development hubs engage with the private sector for things such as career and business mentorship or employment opportunities. While these opportunities exist, school and university graduates need to be made more aware of these tools available to them and of the benefits associated with using them.

Tips for school & university graduates looking for employment

• Ask your school or university about their graduate programs that help prepare graduates for the business world.
• Learn some digital skills with Google. In today’s Internet age, if you don’t keep up with what technology has to offer you’re going to find it hard to compete with other job seekers.
• Create a LinkedIn profile as soon as possible with a professional photo & intro – you can download your LinkedIn profile as a PDF as an easy CV.
• Find internship opportunities in your closest town/city – it’s a simple Google away. Internships are a great way to learn about the business world.
• Find your closest community business centre and find out if they run free workshops & mentorship programs.
• Join Meetup.com and find communities that are of interest to you. It’s a great way to meet new people from all walks of life. Initially, you can join online events if you don’t have the means to travel for in-person meetups.
• Find Facebook business groups for your local community and start looking at opportunities posted there.
• Be willing to work for less, to gain experience first for at least 2 years. Employers want to see candidates that haven’t jumped around many different companies in a short period of time.
• Become a part-time entrepreneur! Nothing stops you from becoming a part-time entrepreneur while you’re still at school or university and buying and selling products or services. This will also help you identify what you’re good at and the direction you have in mind when you start looking for a job. Or better yet, your company grows and you’re able to employ others!

Entrepreneurs want to make a difference

As an entrepreneur, you’re passionate about creating opportunities for your employees. But you also want to make sure you’re protecting your business. That’s why it’s important to find potential employees that have the skills you need and are genuinely ready to work. There’s a great demand for talented workers out there (even more so now that the Internet has opened up International opportunities), and matching them with great companies is a win-win for everyone.

Can’t find a job?

If you’re like most job seekers, you’ve probably been searching for a job for a while, and you’re starting to feel discouraged. You’re also starting to consider giving up and taking a job that doesn’t quite suit you just to get off the unemployment line. We’re here to tell you, don’t do it! There are plenty of great jobs out there for you, and the first step to getting one is having an online profile that really shows off your best qualities. By using a few simple techniques for your online profile, you’re already in a much better position to get employed.

Good luck!