Challenges and Opportunities for "Not in Education, Employment, or Training" (NEET) Youth

There are many challenges associated with being unemployed as youth. However, there are also opportunities that a young person who is unemployed should consider taking up. The youth are a very important group in South Africa as they are the future of the country.

Our South African population is currently made up largely of a young population with those who are below the age of 35 years constituting about 66% per cent of the total population. 18.5% are between the ages 10-19; and 24% are between the ages 15-24.These figures therefore indicate a strong need for a much better understanding of the challenges the youth face so that those challenges can assist in identifying practical solutions for them. Identifying solutions for the challenges faced will also ensure that better opportunities are created.

This section will address some of the main challenges faced and opportunities available for the NEET Youth.

CHALLENGES

Working experience

Many job opportunities require prior working experience to ensure that you are capable of performing at a certain level and have the required skills and expertise. However, the challenge here comes when you have never worked and are still trying to make it into the job world. In such a situation, the best thing to do would be to start volunteering or seeking internships in order to gain the relevant skills and expertise you will need in the job you want.

Lack of higher education

Higher education generally gives an individual a higher competitive advantage compared to an individual who is less educated. Various careers need highly skilled individuals with solid knowledge which can be gained only academically, through extensive training or extensive experience. Some jobs require (specifically) academic training at a high level too and NEETs who lack higher education training do not meet these requirements. You can further your studies or enter into a learnership programme to deal with this problem.

Funding your studies

Lack of funding for tertiary or starting businesses can be a barrier for some as it means the individual cannot proceed to further their studies even if they still wish to do so or start a business. This barrier may be the reason an individual cannot find a job due to lack of funds to buy newspapers, access the internet or buy electricity to listen to the radio in order to receive information about employment  and entrepreneurship opportunities. There are numerous youth centres you can visit which provide free internet and advice. You can also go to your local library and access the internet for free to search for jobs.

Information on available opportunities

Many NEETs are unaware of the opportunities available to them as the youth, whether it be academic funding, entrepreneurship funding opportunities or employment opportunities. These individuals may not be well informed or exposed to the appropriate resources which encourage such exposure. These individuals should not be afraid to ask questions and enquire with the relevant people about opportunities and how to access them.

Limited exposure to work opportunities

Some people have limited exposure to suitable work opportunities suitable. This may result in frustration and disappointment.

Limited networking skills

Some people have limited network. They even find it hard to effectively use their existing network and communicate their needs in an appropriate manner. This creates loss of opportunities for young people where they might be assisted.

Limited access to information and resources

Some people do not have access to a wide range of information. A lot of young people are not aware of opportunities available to them because they do not know they exist. Exposure is a major challenge, it can affect the level to which a person grows and flourishes in their career.

Loss of motivation

Some people have lost hope in ever finding employment. They have given up the search due to lengthy periods of unemployment and numerous rejections. Being unemployed or idle for a long time can affect the individual’s motivation..

Limited support structures

Some NEETs do not have positive role models or people they can talk to who can keep them motivated. They also are not exposed to the relevant areas they can access the relevant content that exposes you to job opportunities available.

OPPORTUNITIES

Work Based Training, Internship programmes, and Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

There are companies that allow people without any real-life work experiences with work stimulated environments where they can apply academic and technical skills and develop their employability. These can also be internships, learnerships, and apprenticeships.

Study opportunities

There are 309 private institutions of higher learning, 26 universities and 50 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. These are the institutions that people should consider. The minimum registration requirements for these institutions differ and people that wish to enrol for these should contact the specific institutions for further information that is relevant to that particular institution.

Bursaries and other student funding programmes

There are private and public companies that offer bursaries to the people that are in need of these bursaries. NEET youth should also consider the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and education loans.

Student camps

The Department of Higher Education and Training together with the institutions of higher learning should have student camps. These will be focused on rehabilitating the students that are not performing according to the standards of the department. The aim of these camps is to add on more knowledge for those poor performing students.

Websites

People that need to obtain more information relating to careers should visit career websites such as www.careerhelp.org.za. There are also other websites that might be helpful in terms of information relating to careers.

Youth build programmes

Youth Build is a community based National Youth Service programme that offers volunteers a comprehensive programme that integrates academic achievement, work experience, social action, leadership development, and personal transformation in a single project. The first one is the comprehensive model where 100 youth, all of them volunteers, spend 8 – 12 months in class and on site learning the construction trade using the Youth Build model which adopted from Youth Build International.

Motivational sessions

There are motivational sessions that the Department of Higher Education and Training in conjunction with Career Development Services are hosting for those that are in need of them. These session range from giving career related information to assisting those that wish to submit applications at the institutions of higher education and training.

Peer support structures

There are support structures like the Love Life support and Career Development Services in this regard may be viewed as a support structure. Colleges also offer Student Support Services for students and NEET youth.