A job-creation initiative that aims to get unemployed South Africans started in their own small businesses quickly has been gaining momentum. The Rapid Job Creation Programme is the brainchild of Willem Gous, who says that it's possible to launch a new business that will financially sustain the founder in a matter of weeks - without funding.

“The latest figures from Stats SA shows a 46% youth unemployment rate, and that is a ticking time bomb. Looking for a job is not an option anymore. South Africans have to take charge of their own employment and the best way to do that is by starting a business. And the good news is almost anyone can do it.” says Gous.

Making it easy 

Entrepreneurship can feel overwhelming when you talk about business models, business plans and more. Says Gous: “That is where our training programme is different, because it presents entrepreneurship within the context, abilities and resources of South African youth, sparking an interest in entrepreneurship while promoting resilience and adaptability.” 

Funding

“Many people have a dream of starting a business but don’t because they believe it can’t be done without funding,” says Gous. In November 2020 the programme enlisted 50 people from Diepsloot and Orange Farm in Gauteng and gave them the task of building a business in 21 days. They had to make enough profit to sustain the business owner. “From that process 30 business were created - from mechanics and internet cafes to school transport, food and many more. However, none of these businesses required any external funding, showing that people do not have to wait to establish a busines, they can start today and become economically empowered.” says Gous. 

Successes

"Three months later 85% of the 30 businesses created in November 2020 were still trading while an additional eight businesses were started to create extra revenue streams for the owners. This shows that the programme instils two of the most entrepreneurial traits - resilience and adaptability in people who otherwise might never see themselves as entrepreneurs,” he says. 

No ideas needed

The programme shows that you do not have to have a brilliant business idea to attend. “Business ideas are everywhere and easy to find in a matter of days or hours. The problem is not that there are not enough good business ideas, but rather in testing them and making sure they generate an income for you. Some of the participants in the initial group of November 2020 started with three or even four business ideas in the 21 days until they found the one that worked for them.” says Gous. 

Working together

“Our company works with other organisations to economically empower people by getting them to start their own sustainable businesses. Currently we work with Afrika Tikkun Services but we are actively looking for new partnerships to help develop more business owners and create jobs” he says.

Organisations can reach Gous at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit http://thehumanentrepreneur.org

A Groundbreaking Concept to Facilitate Employment For Candidates And Companies Via Video 

Durban, KwaZulu Natal: Today, First Interview launched a brand-new portal aimed at putting job seekers in front of employers - without actually putting them in front of each other! Job hunters simply upload a two-minute video introducing themselves to prospective employers – who can then view the video at their leisure. This short-cuts the entire recruitment process by cutting out time-consuming CV-sifting and initial screening. 

If employers like what they see and hear on the video, they can contact the job hunter via the portal, requesting their CV and personal details. Candidates have no idea who has viewed their profiles, and have no access to employer contact details, making the entire process confidential and secure.  First Interview founder, Angelique Laaks, says, “Our portal is free for both job seekers and employers. It’s simple and easy to use, and it’s local. Most importantly, however, it allows employers to ‘meet’ the job seekers in two minutes - without having to scan through CVs, set interview times, schedule time with HR, and so on. It’s also easier for job seekers, as they don’t have to take time off work, or arrange transport to and from screening interviews.” 

The whole idea behind First Interview is that it helps prospective employers get a feel for who a candidate actually is – something that’s hard to gauge from a personality-free, one-dimensional CV. The portal is highly beneficial for all job seekers, but particularly for new graduates, and those looking for front-line positions in the customer service, hospitality and retail sectors. These are candidates who are hired for who they are - their personality and how they present themselves – and is more important than a list of qualifications on a CV. 

About First Interview

First Interview is a free portal that provides the missing link in the recruitment process by changing the selection procedure and allowing employers to meet candidates first via a short, pre-recorded introductory video. It makes the recruitment process faster, easier and cheaper for both parties, and gives employers and candidates a better chance of finding each other. First Interview is not a recruitment company, so it doesn’t charge fees or commissions. Nor does it guarantee placements. For more, visit www.firstinterview.co.za

The latest disruptive technology is about to change the way the South Africans work.

One of the biggest challenges facing the African continent is the lack of jobs and the distances those that have jobs have to travel each day.  Another major obstacle is the exorbitant fee that labour brokers charge when on-selling the services of the workers.

After a significant development period, Endorsed.africa is proud to announce a solution that will make inroads into these challenges by empowering everyone from the domestic worker and labourer right up to the skilled workforce.

In a nutshell, Endorsed.africa is a platform to where job seekers market themselves based upon their skillset, geographical location and availability and companies or individuals needing assistance can find suitably qualified people.Each worker stipulates the rate they are prepared to work for and the clients can choose based upon reviews and work experience.How many times have you needed a labourer for a day or 2, a nanny or baby sitter. Endorsed has the solution by providing vetted individuals that can provide this service.  

Endorsed believes this will stimulate the economy by making services and products more affordable and giving the workers the opportunity of gaining more experience through more work.Each worker on Endorsed is vetted based upon referrals prior to them joining the Endorsed platform, and these workers will be motivated to provide an excellent service to improve their ratings.Endorsed is an ideal solution for those seeking regular work, or for those wanting to supplement their income while studying or looking after children. 

The first phase of the launch will mostly involve the listing and vetting of job seekers, Endorsed is certainly open for business to provide those needing people to get things done.Watch this space as Endorsed.africa goes about improving the lives of many. 

By Gusti Coetzer, director at Signium Africa (previously Talent Africa)

Future-spotting is a key strategic challenge for senior management. For those taking a forward-view, a new priority has emerged … how to react to the rise of the robots.Science fiction is fast becoming reality in manufacturing and service industries in the developed world. Businesses in Africa will have to follow suit if they hope to become competitive.

A 2016 study by the International Federation of Robotics says the number of robots sold globally with double to 400 000 units by 2018, with 70% of the demand coming from China, Japan, USA, South Korea and Germany.World Bank research says Africa has two industrial robots per 100 000 manufacturing workers and massively lags the developed world, but cannot ignore the trend.Jobs are a major focus point.

A widely quoted 2016 study by Daron Acemoglu (MIT) and Pascal Restrepo (Boston University) suggested bots would merely trigger the creation of new, better jobs.This year, they finished the first quantitative survey of job losses using real-world data. This less positive study shows bots cost 670 000 US manufacturing jobs between 1990 and 2007. In one local economy the academics scrutinised, each bot cut 6.2 jobs per 1000 workers.Acemoglu and Restrepo say US bot sales are expected to quadruple, so job losses could mount.Yet many companies that invest in robotics say they are hiring more as higher productivity drives company growth. People move to tasks with high value creation. Job losses at less automated competitors are hard to assess, however.Should executives worry? As blue-collar jobs decline, will executive numbers be decimated by machines gunning for top jobs?

Not likely …Any review of the literature confirms that humans always outscore machines when it comes to thinking, planning and decision-making. We can think ahead.

They can’t, however today artificial intelligence needs to be taken into account. It is arguably a “which came first, the chicken or the egg”?One commentator noted: “We can map out a series of steps that can lead us to a certain goal. This is what robots cannot do. They lack the ability to plan ahead of time.”Machines are faster, more precise, more consistent and more productive. Pressure on repetitive manufacturing jobs is already evident. But service sectors are not immune.One robotics application now flips burgers to consistent quality levels, with big implications for college dropouts who assume they can always get a job flipping burgers.The lesson is simple.

A good education and skills are essential for humans.In a paper to the International Management Conference in Bucharest, D.M. Florian noted: “Studies suggest robots are increasing our wages, not stealing our jobs, though there has been a decrease in the number of positions at some companies. However, the need for more qualified positions has gone up…“Technology has been proved to make humans smarter… A machine has no ability to assess situations and cannot look at a set of transactions and provide an overall picture of what they could mean.”Florian concluded: “Robots will only be able to support the problem-solving structure. They cannot replace it.”Many experts say man-versus-machine simplification is off the mark.

Man with machine is more probable. Growing sales of collaborative robots or cobots are reported worldwide.Here, one area of development is wearable robotics or exoskeletons that augment human capabilities with technology. ABI Research says about 40 R&D groups currently work in the field – the basis for a “$2-billion global market by 2025”.Military and healthcare applications are focus areas. So are industrial uses. Many firms are in the market for “motorised muscles” for heavy lifting or for sensor-actuated exoskeleton suits that “protect and serve” humans during dangerous work.In all cases, a trained and skilled person is needed to operate the wearables, hinting at a future in which humans work with cobots in many areas.Unskilled employment may therefore fall. You need skills to get the best out of cobots or “smart overalls” representing a big capex investment.The highly trained, well-educated cobot co-worker will become a major contributor to productivity and profit.

Executives will still find ‘man’ management is a key part of their task, but a new managerial style may be needed in this high-skill, high-knowledge environment.A very human, empathetic approach will be more appropriate than ‘command and control’. Ironically, the cobots could bring out our human side.

Website: www.signium.com

In the world we live in today, we are all concerned with safety. We have constant worry that we are being watched, that our every moved is being documented with a constant fear of danger around every corner. I have news for everyone................

we are all being stalked, and there is nothing you can do to stop this. Everyday we are judged, assessed, scrutinized. With the ever increasing use of social media in our lives, being watched is something that we can not stop. With most people being active on one or more social media platforms, we open up our lives to everyone and any one across the globe. Social media has turned the world in to a much smaller and more accessible place.People will be view your activity regularly, as we invite the world into our lives by participating on social media.

BUT..................... you are being judged. Weather you approve or not, like it or not, or if you are aware of it not, every time you apply for a job, a recruiter, HR manager or hiring manager is scrutinizing your social media activity. They will be randomly looking for reasons that a giant red flags for a reason not to hire you. Now that is a reality shock for most. But this does not have to be the career suicide that you may think.FAROSIAN conducts balanced, unbiased and impartial social media assessments for recruiters, businesses as well as individuals (for those who are brave enough to see what their social media accounts are saying about them).  We have perfected a sound process to ensure that there will never be any possibility of discrimination, that all personal values, morals and ethics are taken out of the equation, and provide consultative sound recommendations, for all (including advice for individuals how to improve their image on social media)Recruiters, businesses, HR managers and individuals should contact us on

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information on getting your social media report.

Students can walk away with tangible learnings that will benefit them instantly”

SABC Education Career Indaba has attracted the support of top companies, including Anglo American, Auditor General South Africa and Allan Gray, who will be at the expo this year at the Sandton Convention Centre from 19-20 May. Career Indaba, to which entry is free, is aimed at South Africa’s youth.

International opportunities
Career Indaba’s event director Tanya Jackman explains: “there are a multitude of opportunities for learners of all academic capabilities and financial backgrounds to pursue their dream of international travel and studying abroad. Our connections in these international universities have told us that South Africa is now becoming a top priority for student acquisition and Career Indaba was identified as the perfect event to partner with to promote their bursaries and scholarships”.

She goes on to say, “Career Indaba has made huge strides this year by bringing an international element to the show. Ensuring students that studying abroad is a possible option. This is why it is important to expose South African youth to International possibilities.”

With international universities from China, Russia, Japan and America participating in Career Indaba parents are encouraged to accompany their children to meet with these connections face to face.

Encouraging local development
“We want to help learners and young people to take the next step in their education and career development. Career Indaba puts the needs of the student first by presenting them with exciting and relevant local careers and further education options in one location,” says Tanya.

Top South African universities and employers will be looking for bright young students to recruit. Tanya adds: “what better way to prepare for your academic or working future than to get advice from the experts themselves? Our Interactive Zone offers that personal engagement whereby students can speak directly with some truly inspirational individuals and walk away with tangible learnings that will benefit them instantly”.

Students have access to all the answers they might be looking for from top corporates, universities and employers.

Visitors can register online for their free ticket on: www.careerindaba.co.za/register  

SABC Education partnership
SABC Education has signed a three-year agreement with Career Indaba and African EduWeek which entails pre-event promotion to its radio and television audience as well as a strong presence onsite during the events. At Career Indaba, the SABC will have a highly interactive feature area focusing on the different career opportunities in broadcasting, including two OB (outside broadcast) unit’s on the expo floor.

Dates, times and location:
Dates:  Monday and Tuesday, 19-20 May 2014
Times:  Monday 09h00-17h00; Tuesday 09h00-15h00
Location:  Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

For more information, interviews and media accreditation:
Marketing Coordinator: Zara Eckles
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: +27 21 700 3541
Fax: +27 21 700 3501

{pp}After months of careful content creation and pouring of over reference books, Jobinterview.co.za has finally launched.