NEETs Youth Employability Programme Introduction
Reintroducing young people to the world of possibility.
NEET, an acronym denoting youth between the ages of 18 and 27 who are neither employed, engaged in education, nor receiving training, represents a significant concern within our country. The Salesian Institute Youth Projects (SIYP) has undertaken a pivotal role in addressing this challenge through the NEETs Programme, which forms an integral part of an intervention strategy.
Our approach is multi-faceted, combining essential Life Skills training with Vocational Skills Training, all within an innovative framework of student-centred, project-based learning. The core objective is to empower NEET youth by reintroducing them to learning, nurturing entrepreneurial skills, and providing valuable exposure to real workplace experiences.
Our beneficiaries are carefully selected from specific disadvantaged communities within the greater Cape Town area, a strategic choice intended to foster social change and create a ripple effect of empowerment and transformation within those communities
New Venture Creation — NQF 2 & 4
SETA-accredited 12-month course
The NEETs Youth Employability Programme leads to the attainment of a Further Education and Training Certificate in New Venture Creation, facilitated through the Services SETA and W&RSETA.
Entry requirements: NQF 2 requires Grade 9. NQF 4 requires Grade 11.
The programme prepares young people to set up and run their own businesses, building the entrepreneurial foundation needed to create opportunity rather than simply look for it.
Module 1
Foundation Module (32 weeks)
This segment takes place at our Salesian Institute Youth Projects premises in Greenpoint, Cape Town. The initial two weeks are dedicated to orientation and Lifeskills training. To ensure all students can actively participate and grasp the material, the programme starts with fundamental refresher modules in areas like languages and mathematics. Once students have acquired the necessary skills, the focus shifts to the SETA modules.
Module 2
Internship in Social Enterprises (6 weeks)
During this phase, participants engage in community-based projects that directly address critical community needs.
This not only hones their project management skills but also nurtures a sense of social responsibility fosters a deeper understanding of good citizenship and builds empathy towards their fellow community members.
Community development is key.
Module 3
Organisation Module (10 weeks)
The final module involves workplace learning within a partner organization. SIYP collaborates with a range of industries driven by entrepreneurial skills, including Insurance, Food & Beverage, and Wholesale/Retail.
This approach allows students to gain practical experience in their field. Industry partners plays a pivotal role in the programme.
Hydroponics
Growing food. Growing communities. Growing futures.
As part of the NEETs programme, students participate in a large-scale hydroponics community project involving workshops with students, their families, and community members, as well as the production and distribution of home hydroponics kits and the commercialisation of produce. Community development is at the heart of everything we do.
Why It Matters Empowering youth For a brighter future.
By supporting the skills training and employment of previously unskilled young people, we are not only empowering them to lead active, productive, and successful lives — we are actively addressing inequality and uplifting impoverished communities.
The NEETs Youth Employability Programme reflects our unwavering commitment to creating a brighter future for young people who, due to various circumstances, have not been afforded the opportunities to advance their education and training.
Solar Photovoltaic Mounter/Installer Course
Recognising the growing demand for skilled workers in the renewable energy sector, the NEETs Youth Employability Programme introduced a dedicated technical component to its training offerings. It now provides a standalone 6- or 12-month QCTO-accredited Solar Photovoltaic Installer/Mounter Course.
Entry requirements:
- Grade 11 with pure mathematics required
- Ages 18 to 27
The course equips participants with the technical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to install and maintain solar photovoltaic systems. With the global shift toward sustainable energy solutions, this qualification opens doors to promising career opportunities in the rapidly expanding solar energy industry — empowering young people to build stable, future-focused careers.
This course:
- Is QCTO-accredited
- Runs for 6 or 12 months
- Requires Grade 11 with pure mathematics
- Prepares youth for careers in the renewable energy sector
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Building Entrepreneurs
not just employees.
SIYP’s NEETs Programme takes a multi-faceted approach, combining essential Life Skills training with Vocational Skills Training, all within an innovative framework of student-centred, project-based learning. The core objective is to empower NEET youth and reintegrate them into productive society,helping them gain the skills and real workplace exposure needed to build a sustainable future.