South African private sector led youth employment model gains global recognition

South Africa’s Youth Employment Service (YES) has been highlighted as a global case study in the B20 Employment & Education Task Force’s final recommendations to the G20, recognising the programme’s innovative approach to addressing youth unemployment through private sector collaboration.

The B20 task force presented its comprehensive paper to G20 leaders, emphasising the urgent need to tackle global unemployment, skills mismatches and gender inequality. YES was selected as an exemplary model, demonstrating how private sector-led initiatives can deliver scalable solutions to youth employment challenges at national scale.

Since its inception, YES has created over 195,000 quality work experiences for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, partnering with more than 1,880 businesses across South Africa. The programme currently generates over 3,000 new employment opportunities monthly, entirely funded by corporate partners who have invested R11.6 billion in youth salaries to date.

“This recognition by the B20 validates our belief that innovative partnerships between business and government can unlock meaningful solutions to youth unemployment,” said Ravi Naidoo, CEO of YES. “What we’ve built in South Africa demonstrates that when the private sector leads with purpose, supported by enabling policy frameworks, we can create sustainable pathways for young people at unprecedented scale.”

The programme operates through a unique partnership model incentivised by South Africa’s economic empowerment legislation, creating a framework that other economies could adapt to their own contexts. Companies participating in YES receive recognition through South Africa’s B-BBEE scorecard system, encouraging sustained private sector investment in youth development.

But YES’s impact extends beyond job creation, sustainability is an important outcome. For instance, the programme achieves permanent employment rates of 70–100% in many corporate programmes, while over 17% of participants establish their own businesses annually. “This dual approach creates both immediate employment opportunities and a robust pipeline of young entrepreneurs,” Naidoo points out.

The initiative has strategically positioned young people in sunrise sectors including digital services, renewable energy, information technology and global business services. This forward-looking approach helps participants develop skills relevant to South Africa’s economic transformation while addressing critical skills shortages in high-growth industries.

The B20 recognition aligns directly with the task force’s key recommendations on closing global skills gaps, removing barriers to youth and women’s participation in the workforce, supporting reskilling and upskilling for the digital economy, and unlocking inclusive, sustainable growth.

YES has become South Africa’s largest pipeline of undiscovered talent, providing companies with access to motivated young people who might otherwise remain excluded from economic opportunities. The programme’s comprehensive approach includes work readiness training, soft skills development, and ongoing support to ensure successful workplace integration.

“This recognition comes at a critical time as countries worldwide grapple with youth unemployment challenges,” says Naidoo. “South Africa faces one of the highest youth unemployment rates globally, making YES’s achievement particularly significant as a proof of concept for private sector-led solutions.”

Corporate partners span multiple sectors, from established South African companies to international businesses operating locally. This diverse participation demonstrates the programme’s adaptability across different industries and business models, while maintaining consistent quality and impact standards.

“The B20’s selection of YES as a case study underscores the potential for similar initiatives to be adapted globally,” Naidoo concludes. “This offers other countries a blueprint for engaging private sector resources in addressing youth employment challenges through structured, measurable programmes that deliver tangible results for both businesses and young people.”