Our country is facing one of the world’s biggest youth unemployment crises: two in three young South Africans are unemployed. Because job creation and economic growth are inter-dependent, South Africa is stuck in a vicious cycle: We can’t create jobs without economic growth. We can’t grow without the need for more jobs. More than anything, the value and quality of these critical jobs are key to propelling our growth, reaching global standards and demands and allowing more South Africans into the job market, making sunrise industries, such as the mining sector, important.
South Africa is a global front runner in the mining industry. With an abundance of mineral and natural resources and global demand for these, the industry is one of our key economic players. The sector, through its policies (and because of its size and reach across the country) carries potential to drive socio-economic transformation and development. With the Mining Indaba on the horizon, and the mining industry being a key focus in the country over the next few months, we discuss how this sector can shape a sustainable future that works for all through creating youth jobs that seamlessly integrate with environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, the Mining Charter and social and labour plans (SLPs) through YES.
The number one risk to business SA: Two in three youth are unemployed
A shrinking pool of employed youth means less people with buying power to purchase from your business.
With its collaboration with and funding from the private sector, YES places 2,000 – 3,000 young people into jobs in a variety of sectors every month. Some of these jobs (12-month work experiences), especially through the mining sector, are mostly created to address socio-economic issues within the industry and affiliated communities, developing youth lives, their families and their environment. Over and above this, YES has prioritised creating value adding jobs for youth seen in forward leaning categories. These aren’t just jobs: they’re jobs that have a clear social impact and drive meaningful environmental outcomes.
Last year’s African Mining Indaba put a lot of focus on the potential prosperity of the mining sector and how it can ripple into communities and our economy. Duncan Wanblad, Anglo Group CEO, echoed this by emphasising that the mining industry leave no one behind as the sector prioritises people and shared prosperity for all. The industry has potential to be a catalyst for job creation and industrialisation, rippling through adjacent sectors.
The YES turnkey solution: Integrating YES into ESG & SLP strategies
The mining sector is advanced when it comes to ESG participation, making it a leading industry in ESG reporting and strategies. Good ESG attracts more international investing in the industry. An operative way of reaching ESG goals is through youth job creation in sectors that build economic, social, and environmental stability (turnkey solution). This is achieved through effective collaboration with future-facing industries such as the mining sector.
The YES turnkey solution works with 28 YES-vetted host partners across South Africa to place youth. If a business cannot place youth in their own organisation, they have the option to place youth with our host partner. The host partners are generally NPOs or small businesses working in high-impact sectors in communities, which means youth do not have to travel far for work and they can play an important part in building their own communities. The host partners are not only responsible for hosting youth, but also for recruiting, screening, and supervising the youth, as well as facilitating absorption on behalf of the corporate. Some of the sectors our IPs work in are digital, healthcare, education, conservation, early childhood development and SMME support.
Some sectors YES host partner work in
Essentially, your mining company can use the creation of youth jobs to also impact social, environmental and economic issues that align with your holistic ESG/SDG strategies - meaning your business can create critical youth jobs in sectors that are relevant to you.
The sector also has specific mandates and legislations such as the Mining Charter and the SLPs that are also embedded in the elements of ESG strategies and its successful reporting. YES helps fulfil some of these goals by placing youth in roles and sectors that will help them meet targets. Through meeting the demands for modern mining practices, driving greener operations and broader compliance, the industry opens itself to bigger investment opportunities, especially as a sunrise industry.
Benefits of YES for mining communities: Sustainability beyond the mine
The mining sector has both the potential and the mandate to create new and sustainable employment opportunities that bring value to communities and the economy at large. Mining companies are bound by the SLPs to ensure they create strong economies surrounding the mines - this means creating non-mining jobs.
Creating opportunities (through the YES turnkey solution) that will both kickstart their futures and give them the chance to have longstanding careers through sustainable and forward leaning jobs will increase the probability of economic and social growth in both communities and the country.
Join the movement
Be a part of the solution as we work together to build a South Africa that works for all. Sustainably investing in our environment and our youth today is equivalent to investing in our country for years to come.
Join YES now & co-create a brighter tomorrow for all.
Amendment to the Gazette