1.  The Young Patriots Programme (TYPP)

The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) signed a cooperation agreement where the commitment to implement the Young Patriots Programme (TYPP) was established. The TYPP is a National Youth Service (NYS) programme of the DAC. The NYDA committed to implement the programme on behalf of the DAC since 2016 to March 2020.

TYPP engaged 300 young patriots across the country to activate the strategic objectives of the DAC. The key areas of work for the young patriots include activities aimed at popularising national symbols such as the national anthem and the national flag in schools, the audit of human treasures in communities as well as installation of flag poles. These activities are intended to build awareness on the South African history and instill a sense of patriotism amongst the recruited patriots.

The NYDA has a long-standing partnership with the Flemish Government on youth development. The cooperation between the NYDA and the Flemish Government on up-scaling and promoting Youth Volunteering in civil society organisations was launched in 2012 and the new 5 year framework has been developed for 2015-2020, focusing on capacity building, knowledge generation, marketing and communication and lobbying and advocacy.

The NYDA has identified the need to take practical steps to increase youth volunteering because of the significant benefits that are likely to flow from involving young South Africans in volunteering and community service programmes. Research suggests that volunteering helps youth break the poverty cycle by facilitating access to decent work. This could therefore assist in alleviating South Africa’s high unemployment levels which affect mostly young people. In addition, youth volunteering can develop young leaders to take responsibility, foster social cohesion, encourage greater citizen participation, generate respect for equality, promote diversity and develop individual and collective voices.

2. Collins Chabane School of Artisans

The National Youth Development Agency took up a challenge to establish a school for Artisans. The school deliver skills for unemployed youth through the National Youth Service Model the Model is about Community Service, Training and Exit opportunities.

The first pilot phase of the school was in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal, Umgungundlovu TVET college and enrolled 50 young people in Boiler making and Plumbing. All expenses fully covered by the NYDA including paying of stipends of the young people for three years (2016 to 2018).

Negotiations of the second phase of the school is still underway with the Limpopo Government. Once agreements are signed the project will be implemented with these two districts: Capricorn and Sekhukhune districts. These are the identified TVET’s colleges: Capricorn and Sekhukhune TVET colleges.

The following full qualifications will be offered to young people:

• National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Treatment process operation NQF level 2,
• Occupational Certificate: Plumbing NQF level 4.

Participants’ recruitment:

• This takes place within the recruiting municipality- when we are open for intake, information will be published on the website.
• South African youth between the age of 18 to 35 years to qualify.
• Have minimum of grade 10 qualification with either pure Math or Math literacy and can read and write English.
• Preference will be given to young people not in Employment, Education and in Training (NEET cohort). 

3. International Exchange Programmes

The Agency have several bilateral agreements with other countries which offer international exchange programme opportunities for young people and provide stipends for the entire duration of the programme.

YOUTH VOLUNTEERISM

Job hunting requires both resilience and patience especially when you are a first-time work seeker, with no experience, looking for your first job. It is important to stay positive while waiting for potential opportunities to turn into employment and one way to do this is to use this time wisely to make your CV more attractive by volunteering. It is a great way to gain real work experience in real organisations that can improve the quality of your CV and increase your chances of finding employment.

What can a volunteer gain?

 As a volunteer, you don’t need any special skills or experience. You list what you’re interested in doing, and where and when. You can also subscribe to the organisations that interest you. You will be matched to companies that need people like you.

The platform tracks your volunteering by keeping a record of what you’ve done and how much time you’ve spent on it. This enables you to build a profile of the skills you acquire as you volunteer.

The more volunteer jobs you do and the more time you log doing them, the more skills you acquire and the greater your ‘social employability profile’ grows, making you an increasingly attractive proposition as an employee.

This profile becomes a useful reference that you can use to show prospective employers just how serious you are about contributions to your community and how dedicated you are to social causes.

Sometimes the organisations that use volunteers have fulltime employment opportunities. Where better to look for the stuff they need to fulfil these jobs than within their volunteer pool? After all, volunteers are a known quantity.

Where can I find volunteering opportunities?

The NYDA has identified the need to take practical steps to increase youth volunteering because of the significant benefits that are likely to flow from involving young South Africans in volunteering and community service programmes. Research suggests that volunteering helps youth break the cycle of poverty by facilitating access to decent work. This could therefore assist in alleviating South Africa's high unemployment levels which affect mostly young people. In addition, youth volunteering can develop young leaders to take responsibility, foster social cohesion, encourage greater citizen participation, generate respect for equality, promote diversity and develop individual and collective voices.

For more information on how you can get involved, contact the NYDA Customer Services line on 0871584742.