Vodacom has launched a job-finding tool aimed at connecting one million youth to jobs by 2024 with the aim of addressing unemployment rate in the country. Vodacom launched Get A Gig through NXT LVL (next level), aimed at connecting one mission unemployed youth to jobs or gigs.
GET A Gig is an extension of Vodacom’s recently revamped NXT LVL, a platform aimed at challenging the problems faced by the youth, offering them opportunities to connect and giving them access to the relevant tools which will help them reach their potential.
Vodacom said this new initiative is aimed at giving the youth a fighting chance in the tough economy, where South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world.
Unemployment figures in South Africa have reached 35.3% from 34.9% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same quarter in 2021. This is the highest level since the beginning of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) in 2008.
Vodacom decided to help by launching a platform aimed at helping youngsters connect to jobs. “Our vision is to make sure that we leave no one behind, especially young people who form a critical part of the country’s future. The launch of Get-A-Gig is yet another way that we at Vodacom strive to fight the rising youth unemployment rate.
“Our purpose is centred on building a digital society with techno-solutions and an education ecosystem that transforms lives for a better tomorrow,” said Chief Officer of Consumer Business at Vodacom Jorge Mendes.
Mendes said Vodacom is determined to help the youth find jobs even if it helps them one by one, to help reduce the unemployment rate.
“As we empower and help our youth connect to jobs, even if it is one job at a time, we believe it is a step towards curbing the scourge of unemployment in our country. By them (youth) earning a living, connected by the use of our technology, we believe they can go further,” Mendes added.
Source: Business Insider, RegTech Africa, IT News Africa.com, image from Business Insider: Getty images