The Youth Employment Services (YES) initiative launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this year called on government, civil society, and business to assist in creating employment opportunities for the youth.

The initiative received a sizeable investment at the weekend from Swedish automaker, Volvo.

At the launch of its own Youth Employment Initiative at its assembly plant in Durban, Volvo announced it will plug R25 million into YES.

“As a global company, with a strong commitment to the success of South Africa, we also support government’s initiative to focus on youth development as is envisioned in initiatives such as the proposed Youth Employment Service,” President of Volvo Group Southern Africa Torbjörn Christensson said in a statement.

In addition to the R25 million investment Volvo will also open a specialised Driver Training Academy to address the shortage of skilled drivers in the country. The academy will draw an additional investment of R1.4 million.

“We are ready and willing to take hands with government to identify and create more opportunities for our youth, to start rebuilding the social fabric and economic transformation of the South African labour market,” Christensson added.

President Ramaphosa reminded companies that investing in YES was not only assisting thousands of young South Africans, but themselves as well as these youngsters will grow up to become part of the workforce.

“We welcome Volvo for being part of transforming not only the economy but the local communities as well,” Ramaphosa said.

The YES initiative will see businesses creating one-year paid positions for young people between the ages of 18 – 35 where they will earn R3 500 or more per month.

[Source – SA Government News Agency] [Image – CC BY SA 2.0 Ren Kuo]