• The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport has called for unemployed youth in the province to apply for the 2024 Year Beyond Youth Service Programme.
• It is specifically looking for youth between 18 and 25 years old that want to help serve their community.
• Applications are also open to those who want to assist in the Eastern Cape.

While all of last year’s Grade 12 learners are eagerly awaiting their matric exam results in order to complete their university applications, there are also those who will be taking a gap year in 2024. Instead of spending that time abroad or sitting around the couch at home, a more worthwhile endeavour could be the Year Beyond Youth Service Programme.

The programme recently opened up for applications to those wanting to serve communities in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, and applicants are being called upon before the closing date arrives next month.

“Applications for the education programmes are now open for youth living in the Western and Eastern Cape who meet the criteria. All the education programmes require a matric certificate and some require minimum marks for Language or Maths,” the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport highlighted in a statement.

Applicants must also be unemployed and between the ages of 18 to 25, with the closing date for applications being 18th February 2024.

“The YearBeyond programme offers young people the opportunity to get a year of hands-on working experience and build their work readiness competencies, while also giving back to their communities. Commonly known as YeBoneers, successful applicants will be placed either at a school or community hub where they will assist learners and parents.,” it added.

The programme, which has been running for a number of years now, is said to offer benefits both professionally and personally. To that end, of the past alumni a, “total of 96% of participants believe the experience helped them to get to know themselves better and 95% feel the programmes prepared them better for the world of work and study.”

If you are a little directionless this year, but have a desire to serve your community, this may be an ideal opportunity to look at.

To find out more, head to the YearBeyond portal here.