”Last week, I attended the SA Youth Solutions Exchange 2024, organised by the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator. This gathering brought together stakeholders committed to creating viable, sustainable pathways for young people. It was a thought-provoking experience that challenged us to think deeply and innovatively about how collaboration and coordinated action can unlock opportunities for youth.
A key takeaway was a research insight commissioned by Harambee on image #2, revealing that since 2008, employment trends for those over 35 correlate strongly with GDP growth, while there’s no such link for 18-34-year-olds. This trend highlights a harsh reality: limited job opportunities primarily benefit those with existing work experience, excluding recent school leavers and graduates. For the majority of young people, this means constantly being pushed to the back of the employment queue.
But why does this happen?
In managing a portfolio of partnerships aimed at providing relevant skills, wraparound support, and sustained pathways, a recurring challenge is the reluctance of employers to hire youth without experience. Many employers cite the cost of onboarding inexperienced young people and helping them navigate the workplace. However, we’ve seen through effective models that young people add tremendous value to the workforce, and excluding them due to lack of experience is unsustainable for both the economy and businesses.
These proof points demonstrate that shifting hiring practices to emphasize skills and potential over experience could unlock countless job opportunities, especially in emerging sectors like renewable energy and global services.
Personally, I’m considering how I can advocate for creative, innovative approaches that could make a meaningful difference for even one or two young people, helping to rewrite their story in the workforce.”
Written By: Smangaliso Areal Mbili
Current Position: Innovation Manager at DG Murray Trust
Industry: Development & Social Impact
