DURBAN - MTN has announced that they will be creating 1000 jobs to support the YES (Youth Employment Service) initiative.
The YES initiative which was launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa last month aims to empower 1 million young South Africans by offering them paid job opportunities over the next few years.
YES has already had companies like Absa, Sasol, Shoprite and Spar indicate their commitment to this initiative.
MTN has said that they will be creating the jobs across their South African business and Group head offices and it will cover both operational and functional roles.
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MTN Group President and CEO Rob Shuter said, "YES is an innovative social partnership that has the potential to be a significant catalyst for economic growth and development".
Shuter added that MTN loves fresh and bold solutions and that is what YES is bringing to the South African unemployment crisis.
The mobile operator said that they were proud to be a supporter of the YES programme and they look forward to welcoming more companies to the YES team so that together they can drive sustainable change for the unemployed youth of South Africa.
Tashmia Ismail-Saville, CEO of the YES initiative welcomed MTN on board. She said that the success of the initiative lies in bringing scale to the operation.
According to Ismail-Saville, research has shown that young people, with at least one year of paid work experience, are far more likely to get permanent employment after the first year.
Ismail-Saville said that South African businesses hold in its collective hands the chance to turn the tide on the scourge of youth unemployment.
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