89 young people get a helping hand

Formany young people, having a skill is only the beginning. The bigger chal­lenge is having the tools, resources and opportunities to turn that skill into a sustainable livelihood.

This is the gap the Eswatini Na­tional Youth Council (ENYC) seeks to address through its TVET Support Programme, which has officially recognised 89 young people who will receive practical toolkit support to help them put their technical and vocational skills to work.

The programme represents a E500 000 investment in young people across Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini and Shiselweni region. The bene­ficiaries are involved in a range of trades, including sewing, carpentry, electrical installation, welding, plumbing, motor mechanics, pho­tography, upholstery and cellphone repairs, among others.

For these young people, the sup­port could make the difference be­tween simply possessing a qualifi­cation or skill and being able to use it to generate an income.

From skills to business

A sewing graduate, for example, may have the knowledge to pro­duce clothing but still struggle to operate without a sewing machine. A trained carpenter may have the ability to make furniture but need the necessary equipment to take on customer orders.

Similarly, an aspiring electrician, plumber, mechanic or cellphone technician may have the technical knowledge but lack the tools re­quired to serve customers profes­sionally.

This is where the TVET Support Programme comes in. Rather than focusing only on training, the in­tervention seeks to provide young people with the practical equipment needed to begin or strengthen their enterprises.

The support also goes beyond toolkits. Beneficiaries will receive assistance in areas such as financial literacy, entrepreneurship, record keeping and business management. These skills are important because running a business requires more than being good at a particular trade.

Young entrepreneurs also need to understand how to manage money, keep records, price their services, deal with customers and plan for the growth of their businesses.

EmaSwati can play a part

While the support provides an important starting point, the success of these young enterprises will also depend on whether there is a market for their products and services.

This is where emaSwati can play a direct role. When someone needs a tailor, carpenter, electrician, plumb­er, mechanic, photographer, uphol­sterer or cellphone repair technician, they can consider supporting a local young person with the necessary skills.

Buying locally does more than pay for a service. It helps a young person gain experience, build a customer base, earn an income and potentially create employment for others as the business grows. For communities, supporting local artisans can also help keep money circulating within the local economy.

Instead of viewing these young people simply as beneficiaries of a government or institutional pro­gramme, they should also be seen as potential service providers, entrepre­neurs and future employers.

Building sustainable livelihoods

The ENYC intervention highlights an important reality facing many young people: Having a qualifica­tion does not automatically create employment.

There must be a bridge between skills and economic opportunity.

By providing tools alongside business and financial training, the programme is seeking to build that bridge.

The ultimate measure of its impact will be seen in what happens after the support is received, whether beneficiaries are able to attract cus­tomers, generate income, sustain their businesses and grow their enterprises.

The 89 young people now have an opportunity to take the next step. For emaSwati, the message is equally simple: When you need a service, look locally. Supporting a young artisan today could help build a business that employs others to­morrow. Meanwhile, the ENYC has acknowledged all young people who applied but were not selected for the programme.

The council has said feedback from the selection process will be commu­nicated this week, with applicants encouraged to await the communi­cation for further information on the outcome of their applications.