YES recognised on the global stage in B20 Recommendations to the G20

YES has been recognised as a global case study of best practice in the B20 Employment and Education Task Force’s final recommendations to the G20. The report was presented to the governments of the world’s largest economies this week. The report underlines the urgent need to address youth unemployment, skills mismatches, and gender inequality - and spotlighted YES as an innovative model for scalable, private-sector-led solutions to youth unemployment.

YES’s inclusion in the B20 report, featured as Recommendation 5 (Action 5.1), is a significant milestone. It signals to global policymakers and business leaders that the initiative pioneered in South Africa can inform solutions worldwide, where millions of young people face barriers to meaningful work opportunities.

“This global recognition demonstrates the power of collaboration between the private sector and society to unlock youth potential at scale,” says YES CEO Ravi Naidoo. “South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis remains one of the most severe in the world, but through YES, businesses are creating a talent pipeline that can build the future workforce, equipping young people with skills for the new economy, and contributing to inclusive growth.”

A global model born in South Africa

Since our inception YES has mobilised South African and international businesses to fund and create over 195,000 quality work experiences for youth. More than 1,880 companies are now contributing to the programme, with many entering their fifth year of partnership. Together they have collectively contributed over ZAR 11.6 billion in youth salaries to the economy.

At present, YES is creating more than 3,000 new jobs each month, sustained fully by private-sector investment. Crucially, YES opportunities prepare young people in both technical and soft skills, often serving as a year-long “interview” where companies see permanent placement rates of above 70%. Beyond formal employment, 17% of YES youth go on to launch their own businesses each year, making the YES programme a pipeline of youth entrepreneurs.

Building skills for the future economy

YES intentionally directs youth into growth sectors that position South Africa for a competitive future: digital services, renewable energy, information technology, global business services, tourism, creative industries, and drone technology. These “sunrise” industries not only address immediate unemployment but also build resilience by preparing a talent pipeline for the jobs of tomorrow.

The B20 report highlights YES alongside Brazil’s SENAI São Paulo, pointing to these models as evidence of how targeted business-to-government collaboration can effectively create pathways into work.

YES’s unique framework, enabled by South Africa’s empowerment legislation, demonstrates how private-sector incentives can be designed to promote national employment at scale.