This book examines the factors driving youth unemployment in South Africa, exploring potential future outcomes of its mass unemployment, and offering a variety of strategies to avoid an impending crisis in the country. Utilizing scenario analysis rooted in complex systems theory while building on statistical and fi eld research, the author illustrates four possible future states of youth employment in South Africa in the year 2040. This includes the South African version of the Arab Spring, where young people riot or agitate for extreme political and social change because of a belief that access to education and jobs is only possible through social status or corruption (Spring), fair access to a high number of jobs supported by Chinese interventions (Summer), a technology- driven decline in the number of jobs where merit- based access for youth is granted (Fall), and the collapse of the economy, with the economy collapsing and youth becoming increasingly desperate (Winter). The author then presents five strategies to fight youth unemployment, including training of youth to start businesses, stimulating small- and medium- sized enterprises, and sending unemployed youth abroad for skills development and to where their labour is needed. This book will be of interest to scholars of South African politics and economics, labour economics and youth studies, and readers with an interest in tackling youth unemployment independent of the country.

Why solving ongoing problems with the NQF (National Qualifications Framework) matters -- The challenges unemployment imposes on youth -- The challenge of youth-to-work transitions: an international perspective -- A statistical overview of further education and training colleges -- Strengthening the capacity of FET Colleges to meet the needs of young people -- Higher education and an expanded post-school educational system -- Trends in training in South Africa -- Key issues in the assessment of South Africa's national skills development strategy -- Opening the doors of learning? Viewing the post-school education and training landscape from a youth perspective.

The problem of high youth unemployment is a global phenomenon. According to an International Labour Office study in 2004, youth (15-24) make up nearly half (47%) of the world's unemployed, 88 million out of 186 million, even though youth are only 25% of the world's working age population. Of the world's 550 million working poor who cannot lift themselves above US $1 per day poverty measure, 150 million are youth. The ILO estimated in 2004 that halving global youth unemployment would increase global GDP by US $2.2 trillion, 4% of global GDP. These statistics lend weight to the notion that youth unemployment is a problem worthy of attention. In addition, one may argue that addressing unemployment in general would also lower poverty levels and add to GDP (World Bank 2006)--p. [1]

The aim of this book is to examine the attitudes and opinions of the younger generation of Black African youth born in or after 1994 which marks the birth of democracy in South Africa. This book investigates the livelihoods, activities, and struggles of the unemployed youths at eMaplazini Ward 44 iNanda eThekwini Municipality. The study investigates at how youths make meaning of their emotional, socioeconomic, educational, and recreational needs. This study further examines the dynamics of coping mechanisms that the unemployed youth utilize on a daily basis. It examines how unemployment affects the family life and well-being of the households of the unemployed youth. And further it examines the types of resources and services available and challenges for young Black people while unemployed. This book also investigates the role played by social agencies such as government institutions, education sector and also nongovernmental organizations and how they empower young Black youth in defining their future. Lastly, it looks to what extent do socio-economic, education, political and cultural factors impact on youth employment in relation to the skills required by the South African labour market.

South Africa is characterised by a youthful population, and the challenges and possibilities that characterise the young generation are both warning signs and beacons of hope for a nation founded on social justice. Youth in South Africa: Agency, (in)visibility and national development takes stock of the nation's development as it affects young people. Authors offer both personal and professional insights into the ways in which the youth navigate their own pathways to adulthood. These include formal and informal engagements with politics, as well as protest, (un)employment, entrepreneurship, education, religion, experiences with sexuality and violence and a multitude of other life experiences. Contributors paint a picture of the initiative, agency and resilience of the youth, as well as the challenges before them. Authors also identify the state of "waithood" faced by those unable to make the transition out of youth into full adulthood as a result of their socio-economic circumstances and political context. By engaging these experiences and insights, and primarily informed by the inputs of young people, the authors highlight the limitations of existing youth policies and frameworks. The case is made for policy instruments to be informed by the lived experiences of the youth as they navigate a complex macrosocial environment, and by the messages the youth communicate about the limitations of current approaches.