Youth Leaders Training For Workforce Success

Selected University Students Receive Specialized Leadership Training to Increase Their Employability

From 16-18 March (Cape Town) and 25-27 March (Johannesburg), student leaders will receive specialized training to develop their  skills in leadership, facilitation and project planning through the enke: Make Your Mark Ignition Project.

70 Student leaders from UCT, Wits, CIDA City Campus and other leading tertiary institutions across South Africa will be pariticpating in this cutting edge empowerment program. Applicants went through a rigorous selection process to prove they were ready to take their leadership to the next level. They were nominated by their schools and/or community organizations, shortlisted and interviewed by enke stakeholders.

“The Ignition Project connects young people aged 19-24 with a diverse, active network,” said Pip Wheaton, Executive Director of Make Your Mark. “The program is designed to build skills and experience to increase employability, and inspire entrepreneurial thinking in young people entering the workplace.” 

At the training weekend, participants will receive hands-on training in project planning and management, as well as facilitation, social, and emotional skills that will set them apart from their peers and make them more attractive to employers.

Ignition Project  provides participants with an exclusive avenue to impact the future of South Africa while gaining the skills and experiences that will set them apart from their peers in the job market. The Ignition Project opens networks between leading South African corporations and influential peers, available only to the top university students, nationally.

Participants in the Ignition Project will also mentor high school leaders at the annual enke: Forum – a week-long conference that connects youth from all walks of life and inspires them to make change happen and positively impact their community.

Notes for editor

Make Your Mark is a youth empowerment organization building a network of young South Africans who are taking action on the most urgent issues. Derived from the Tswana word for “ink”, enke empowers young leaders to make their mark on their community, their country and their world. enke is dedicated to building the capacity of young people, firing their desire to shape the future of their world and giving them the skills and opportunities to make positive change happen. enke: Forums have been held since 2009. This year, enke: Forums are being held in Johannesburg (24-30 June) and Cape Town (8-14 July).