Business Unity SA (Busa) says the commemoration of Youth Day on Thursday should remind South Africa as a whole of the socioeconomic challenges — especially that of unemployment — faced by the younger generation.
The business body said it was imperative that government and business worked together on the new growth path as they had a responsibility to bring the 2.8-million in the 18- to 28-year-old youth category who were out of work into the mainstream of the economy.
“Busa remains committed to supporting and pursuing a number of options that will treat unemployed youth as a resource and prioritise access to employment and skills creation programmes. Applicants for funding from the recently announced jobs fund with innovative ideas, especially for young people, are likely to find favour.
“Busa also encourages synergies between established business and youth to facilitate a crossover of skills and talent that should migrate to the next generation of entrepreneurs. These are all essential to developing the growing economy that is ultimately needed to reduce unemployment, especially youth unemployment,” it said. — I-Net Bridge