One of the biggest economic challenges South Africa currently faces is the high youth unemployment rate which, according to Stats SA, was around 62% in the first quarter of 2023.
This means that our young population is unable to contribute to the nation's future economic growth. The struggle of looking for a job is one that many young people can relate to, and which is compounded by factors such as the high cost of data to conduct online job searches and transport to get to interviews. Young people are often forced onto social media platforms to ask for money to help them deal with these obstacles.
That's why for the second year running, through its We’re Here for You(th) campaign, Metropolitan is collaborating with Uber during Youth Month to help transport young job seekers to job interviews for free. In many cases, young people miss out on job opportunities simply because they cannot get there. This collaboration will give 1 300 young candidates the ability to commute to and from job interviews through Uber vouchers.
"We can build strong communities together if we invest in our youth by providing the necessary resources and tools that allow them to unlock their potential. Through initiatives such as this, we are playing our part to bring young driven job seekers and prospective employers together,” says Tlalane Ntuli – Chief Marketing Officer at Metropolitan.
In addition to providing Uber rides, Metropolitan has partnered with Life Coach, Yvette Ratshikhopha, to host a series of masterclasses on Twitter Spaces to help young people navigate the mental and emotional aspects associated with job seeking. These masterclasses, co-hosted by a Metropolitan Human Capital expert, aims to equip job seekers with real tips and advice to ace their interviews.
“It will take a massive collective effort from various stakeholders to uplift the youth of our country. As one of the stakeholders in South Africa, Metropolitan is passionate about providing young people with platforms that allow them to use their creative and cognitive skills to earn an income and contribute towards the country’s economy,” adds Ntuli.
"Through our We’re Here for You(th) campaign, Metropolitan aims to highlight the vital role that youth play in the future of the country. With the inclusion of Udemy and Value-Ed scholarships, this activation is another step in the right direction to help combat youth unemployment and create opportunities for young people to excel," concludes Ntuli.
Visit www.metropolitan.co.za or follow our social media pages for more information about our Youth Month campaign.
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