One of our biggest challenges in South Africa is the high risk of unemployment among young adults and school leavers. After leaving a committed primary school programme, students face the stagnant job market and the challenge of falling short in ‘soft skills’, vocational skills, and experience.

Participants complete our FREE three-month programme at 2 Dagbreek Street, Sybrand Park with the skills to become economically active youth and active members of the job force. The main disciplines we offer and focus on are; Hospitality; Beauty & Wellness; Sewing, Craft & Design; Soft Skills & Work-Readiness, Retail Readiness, Artisan Skills and Business Skills & Entrepreneurship. YSD students are granted the opportunity for internships and potential jobs at companies such as the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Relate Trust, The Grand, The One&Only, Quay Four, Shell and International Hotel School.

Requirements for joining the programme:  Students must be between the ages of 18 and 35 years and have matriculated and have a valid ID.

YSD Vision

To provide a holistic and sustainable Youth Skills Development programme for school leavers and unemployed youth hailing from challenged backgrounds (aged 18-35), where all achieve and succeed in life (and in so doing), contribute to a successful and prosperous and non-discriminatory South Africa, of which we can all be proud. The main disciplines we offer and focus on are:   Hospitality; Beauty & Wellness; Sewing, Craft & Design; Soft Skills & Work-Readiness, Retail Readiness, Artisan Skills and Business Skills & Entrepreneurship.

YSD Mission

To develop and empower individuals through systematic and structured, mainly practical (vocational) training and experiential learning interventions. By better equipping them for work, study or entrepreneurship, we aim to ultimately link them up with our development partners by way of career, study or business opportunities.