In a bid to give hope to thousands of young people, Absa has partnered with the City of Tshwane (CoT) in a Youth Development Programme called “Tshepo 10 000”, Sisa Ntshona, Absa Head of Enterprise Development tells SmartProcurement.
Tshepo is a Sesotho name that means hope.
The project will deliver skills programmes that balance demand and supply, particularly in high labour markets such as construction, ICT, freight and logistics. The programme will identify 10 000 individuals who will then be clustered into groups to form co-operatives. The types of work earmarked include pothole repairs, street light fixing, general building repairs (plumbing, electrical, traffic light repairs), as well as environment management. These identified individuals will undergo a technical and business training programmes delivered by Absa and other partners.
As the financial services partner of the programme, Absa will provide solutions that encompass both financial and non-financial support, providing relevant and practical business solutions to emerging SMEs and entrepreneurs.
Non-financial support services will be provided by Absa and their partners, through the bank’s regional network of Enterprise Development Centres. The centres provide a supportive environment in the form of training and mentorship for start-up businesses. Entrepreneurs are equipped with computers with internet access as well as knowledgeable staff to assist with anything from financial literacy, business skills and networking opportunities. Mobile centres will also be deployed to non-urban areas to facilitate access.
Absa is constantly looking for ways to support and enable an access-conducive environment that assents to youth development and youth entrepreneurship, thus growing business in South Africa.
“Our fundamental value of stewardship is at the core of everything we do. Living by this value ensures that we strive to leave things better than we found them and the Tshepo 10 000 programme is an opportunity for us to do just that”, says Ntshona.
As the second largest Metro in the world by land and mass, CoT seeks to improve the quality of living condition across the metro. The programme will help create employment among its youth and revitalise the City through economic development and attracting new investments.
Absa firmly supports the national call to contribute towards job creation, especially among the youth segment. This partnership will help Absa play a meaningful role in contributing to service delivery, therefore helping to positively impact communities.
Join Smart Procurement World and Absa Enterprise Development at the Absa ED Grow Conference and Absa ED Expo on 10 & 11 September 2013.
