YES Statement
The Youth Employment Service (YES) is aware of recent public comment levelled against us that we practice “active discrimination against white unemployed youth.”
YES would like to stress that a corporate client may employ youth of all races to participate in the YES programme, depending on their objectives and recruitment processes. “YES supports youth irrespective of race or gender. However, should a corporate want to participate in the YES Initiative to improve their B-BBEE standing, for a level up, they have to follow the gazetted regulations and laws,” stated Ravi Naidoo, YES CEO.
Youth do not register through YES, but through a national database. YES approaches corporates clients to create opportunities for these youth. The corporates then handle recruitment themselves or direct implementation partners to do so specific to their requirements, B-BBEE or not.
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About YES
Youth Employment Service (YES) is a pioneering, business-driven initiative which has partnered with government and labour to tackle South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis and drive youth employability. YES aims to create work experiences for youth at scale, through enabling business to be a co-creator of a future that works. In this process, a business can gain one or two levels up on its B-BBEE scorecard.
YES has already proven itself to be one of the true innovators in South Africa, generating over R4.2 billion in youth salaries and nearly 75,000 quality work experiences in just over three years, all with no government funding. The not-for-profit organisation has had over 1,966 corporate sign-ups since its inception. Find out more at www.yes4youth.co.za. Say YES. It’s a win-win-win for company, country and youth!
Amendment to the Gazette