Nurturing the future: From learning to earning
The ‘Basic Package of Support’ works for and with youth to better shape their futures
The ‘Basic Package of Support Programme’ (BPS) was set up to provide holistic services to improve the wellbeing and employability of young people. This work is urgent. In South Africa, more than 60% of the country’s youth are not in employment, education, or training. In response, the BPS aims to provide youth, aged 15-24-years, with the skills and abilities needed to take up and retain learning and earning opportunities.
Young people are supported by ‘Youth Coaches’ to help them better understand their strengths and interests to help them navigate their transition into working lives. This includes practical support, such as CV building and guidance on how to access the job market both on and offline. Individual and group sessions connect youth and organizations with each other to identify and nurture the talents that every young person has. Young people’s lives can be transformed, even in some of the most challenging circumstances.
Firefighting into the future
Tyrece was born and bred in Atlantis, Western Cape. As a young boy he visited the local fire station and from that moment on dreamt of being a firefighter. But applying for his dream job was not easy with no practical training or experience on how to develop an application and with internet access hard to come. The Atlantis ‘Basic Package of Support’ programme provided Tyrece with a Youth Coach who has been helping him with his application and providing guidance to help him realize his dream.
Modelling into the future
Shastri was born and bred in Atlantis, Western Cape, a young life full of violence and obstacles. Today, he’s taking his dream of being a model to the next level, working with a team of Youth Coaches as a participant in the ‘Basic Package of Support’ programme that provides holistic services to youth to improve their wellbeing and employability. Shastri is not only now marketing himself better and finding more regular work but also training the next generation of models to come out of Atlantis.
Designing into the future
Meagan was born and bred in Atlantis, Western Cape. She discovered her love and talent for art at a young age. Today, she’s turning her artistic dream into a business venture by selling her artwork and jewellery. The young artist has turned entrepreneur with support from a team of Youth Coaches as a participant in the ‘Basic Package of Support’ programme that provides holistic services to youth to improve their wellbeing and employability.
The BPS programme supports communities with high unemployment rates in Atlantis, Western Cape, Orange Farm, Gauteng and eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal.
UNICEF South Africa supports the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) at the University of Cape Town to implement the programme with funding from the European Union among other partners.