Page 6 - Logistics News - December 2021

T H OU GHT L E A D E R SHIP

Tackling youth unemployment

and building a stronger economy:

How procurement can help

By Leon Steyn, CEO at Dante Deo

The future of the global and local economy depends on the
youth, but this is something many of us appear to have forgotten
in the last 20 years.

s business leaders, we have a responsibility third element
to look after the economies we inherited in workforce
Afrom previous generations and prepare the capability –
way for the youth to step into our shoes. But with 63 experience – is
percent of young people in South Africa aged 15-24 what’s lacking.
currently unemployed, it’s clear that we’ve missed the And, without it,
mark. Whether this is as a result of poor leadership, our youthful job
corruption, wasteful expenditure or simply being too seekers are at a
busy with what’s in front of us to plan for what lies loss.
ahead is up for debate. However, the fact remains that if
we don’t urgently prioritise job creation and youth skills A friend used
development, the future of the South African economy to say that we have
looks perilous. to allow future leaders to make mistakes because that’s
when they learn. Knowledge and skills can be taught
Fortunately, we can take steps to address our fairly quickly, but experience takes time. To solve this
shortcomings. Solutions rely on big companies stepping problem, big and small companies need to commit to
up to make a difference, small companies sprucing up running meaningful, beneficial internships for the ‘green
to do better business and government letting them get shoots’ in our workforce. Not tea-making internships,
on with it. Here’s how I think we could work together but ones where the trainee gains valuable experience and
to help the youth of today become prudent leaders and insight into their chosen industry, so that, at the end
powerful consumers of tomorrow. of the programme, they aren’t disappointed when the
internship doesn’t turn into a full-time position because
Addressing the experience gap they’ve got two other job offers on the table.
Both government and private entities have, for the The next step is where procurement comes
L O GI S T I CS NEWS seen an increase in training programmes, technical in. Even a skilled, experienced job seeker faces
last few years, focused on skills development. We’ve

skills institutes, support structures and government-
unemployment if they enter an economy where there
are no jobs. So, how can we make skills development
run agencies like the SETAs. So, ostensibly, the
programmes and meaningful internships productive?
knowledge and skills are there. However, the

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