2014 DEA YES participants receive certificates

This follows their successful completion of a one year training programme that is implemented by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA).

The YES Programme is a three year job creation and training programme that is funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and implemented by WESSA in the Western Cape. The aim of the programme is to provide training and workplace-based experience for an annual intake of 100 previously unemployed youth beneficiaries by exposing them to accredited and non-accredited training interventions, by providing a structured mentorship programme, and by giving them an opportunity to gather practical work experience in the environmental sector while placed at various host organisations.

Issues facing economy

The YES Programme is a direct response of government to two of the most significant issues facing our economy, namely the extremely high youth unemployment rate and the lack of job seekers with the relevant skills required to fulfil vacancies in the public and private sectors.

The graduation ceremony marked the end of the second year of the programme which ran in Cape Town, Worcester and Oudtshoorn this year. Certificates were presented at the event to 2014 participants from Cape Town and Worcester, as well as several Cape Town and Hermanus programme participants from 2013.

A separate ceremony was held in Oudtshoorn for 2014 Oudtshoorn participants and 2013 George participants. The third and final year of the programme commences in January 2015 in Cape Town, Grabouw, Knysna and Sedgefield.