Latest news with #YoungProfessionals
TimesLIVE
20-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Future of Jobs Summit: driving public-private action to tackle youth unemployment in SA
Spearheaded by the Future Leader Forum, the Future of Jobs Summit is a bold new initiative to help turn the tide on SA's youth unemployment crisis. Taking place on May 22 and 23 in Johannesburg, the summit will bring together influential public and private sector leaders from SA and abroad to co-create the jobs of the future — with a firm focus on youth employment, digital skills and scalable solutions. Leading technology giant SAP, alongside major job creation enablers such as Adcorp, DP World, Workday and FNB, will unveil their bold strategies and pragmatic programmes for attracting, developing, and retaining top talent in an increasingly competitive global market. SAP in particular will showcase its globally acclaimed Educate to Employ and Young Professionals Programmes, which have already equipped thousands of young Africans with in-demand digital skills and meaningful career pathways. These initiatives are helping to create an inclusive talent pipeline that fuels both local innovation and international competitiveness. A national mandate to mobilise jobs for youth Founder of the Future Leader Forum, Dr Nik Eberl, says the Future of Jobs Summit is not another policy talk shop — it is a high-impact platform for action and alignment. The Future of Jobs Summit is about co-creating jobs of the future through partnerships that work — and delivering those solutions at scale Dr Nik Eberl, founder of the Future Leader Forum Bringing together CEOs, ministers, labour leaders, skills providers, and community champions, the summit is structured around a singular mission: to create a sustainable and inclusive South African workforce. 'Youth unemployment is the greatest threat to our democracy — and the greatest opportunity to unlock national prosperity,' says Eberl. 'This summit is about co-creating jobs of the future through partnerships that work — and delivering those solutions at scale.' From dialogue to delivery: backed by the G20-T20 engagement track The Future of Jobs Summit is an official T20 Site Event (T20 being the think-tank of SA's G20 presidency) and will feed into the global G20-T20 agenda. The official summit outcomes report — capturing the top job-creation strategies, public-private partnerships, and sectoral pledges — will be presented to: The office of the presidency; The parliament of SA; and The G20 Plenary in November 2025. The summit is aligned with the G20's global commitment to inclusive growth, skills development, and job creation for the youth, making SA a leading voice in shaping a more resilient future of work. Success models already emerging: GBS and beyond SA's Global Business Services (GBS) sector is a standout success story that will be reviewed at the summit. With strong government support, global investment, and a young, trainable workforce, the GBS industry has already created over 150,000 youth jobs and is on track to deliver 500,000 jobs by 2030. 'GBS shows us what's possible when government, business, and skills providers align around a shared goal,' says Eberl. 'We must now apply that same formula across high-growth sectors — from tech and tourism to renewable energy and the care economy.' Call to action for leaders and changemakers The summit will feature: The CEO dialogue, leadership roundtables and panel discussions. Job creation success stories from the private sector as well as national, provincial and local government. A National Jobs Dashboard launch to track commitments and progress. 'We are building a movement of hope,' says Eberl. 'The Future of Jobs Summit is about giving our youth a future worth staying for — and showing the world that SA is ready to lead. We are thrilled to have representation from the public, private and nonprofit sector, including social entrepreneurs participating.'
The Star
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Future of Jobs Summit aims to tackle youth unemployment in South Africa
As South Africa grapples with the stark reality of youth unemployment, the Future of Jobs Summit is gearing up to present a strategic response aimed at igniting job creation and enhancing digital skills among the country's young population. Organised by a coalition of technology leaders, including SAP, Adcorp, DP World, Workday, and FNB, the summit seeks to unite the country's most influential minds in both the public and private sectors. Future of Jobs Summit founder, Nik Eberl, emphasises that this initiative transcends mere discussion. 'It is not another policy talk shop; it is a high-impact platform for action and alignment,' he states, underscoring the urgency of collective efforts to tackle the pressing issue of youth unemployment. Eberl believes that 'youth unemployment is the greatest threat to our democracy and the greatest opportunity to unlock national prosperity.' Central to the summit's agenda is the unveiling of innovative strategies and programs designed to attract, develop, and retain top talent. SAP will take the spotlight with its acclaimed Educate to Employ and Young Professionals Programmes, aimed at equipping thousands of African youths with vital digital skills and pathways to meaningful careers. 'These initiatives are helping to create an inclusive talent pipeline that fuels both local innovation and international competitiveness,' Eberl explains. The summit is an official event under the T20 framework, the Think Tank of South Africa's G20 Presidency, reinforcing its alignment with the global agenda for inclusive growth, skills development, and job creation for the youth. With the outcomes report set to be presented to key stakeholders, including the Office of the Presidency and Parliament of South Africa, the summit aims to foster robust public-private partnerships. Further addressing the overarching theme of inclusivity, the initiative will spotlight South Africa's thriving Global Business Services (GBS) sector. This sector is lauded as a success story in job creation, having already generated over 150,000 youth jobs and targeting an impressive 500 000 jobs by 2030 with strong support from government and global investors. 'GBS illustrates the potential that thrives when government, business, and skills providers align around a shared goal. We must now apply that same formula across high-growth sectors from tech and tourism to renewable energy and the care economy,' Eberl urges. As the summit approaches, anticipation builds around its potential to create scalable solutions and partnerships that can turn the tide on South Africa's high unemployment rate. With a firm focus on youth employment and digital skills development, the Future of Jobs Summit stands as a beacon of hope in the ongoing effort to build a more resilient and inclusive workforce. Scheduled for May 23, 2025, the summit is set to bring together leaders from government, business, and civil society to address South Africa's unemployment crisis with actionable strategies and innovative partnerships. The Star [email protected]
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Future of Jobs Summit aims to tackle youth unemployment in South Africa
As South Africa grapples with the stark reality of youth unemployment, the Future of Jobs Summit is gearing up to present a strategic response aimed at igniting job creation and enhancing digital skills among the country's young population. Organised by a coalition of technology leaders, including SAP, Adcorp, DP World, Workday, and FNB, the summit seeks to unite the country's most influential minds in both the public and private sectors. Future of Jobs Summit founder, Nik Eberl, emphasises that this initiative transcends mere discussion. 'It is not another policy talk shop; it is a high-impact platform for action and alignment,' he states, underscoring the urgency of collective efforts to tackle the pressing issue of youth unemployment. Eberl believes that 'youth unemployment is the greatest threat to our democracy and the greatest opportunity to unlock national prosperity.' Central to the summit's agenda is the unveiling of innovative strategies and programs designed to attract, develop, and retain top talent. SAP will take the spotlight with its acclaimed Educate to Employ and Young Professionals Programmes, aimed at equipping thousands of African youths with vital digital skills and pathways to meaningful careers. 'These initiatives are helping to create an inclusive talent pipeline that fuels both local innovation and international competitiveness,' Eberl explains. The summit is an official event under the T20 framework, the Think Tank of South Africa's G20 Presidency, reinforcing its alignment with the global agenda for inclusive growth, skills development, and job creation for the youth. With the outcomes report set to be presented to key stakeholders, including the Office of the Presidency and Parliament of South Africa, the summit aims to foster robust public-private partnerships. Further addressing the overarching theme of inclusivity, the initiative will spotlight South Africa's thriving Global Business Services (GBS) sector. This sector is lauded as a success story in job creation, having already generated over 150,000 youth jobs and targeting an impressive 500 000 jobs by 2030 with strong support from government and global investors. 'GBS illustrates the potential that thrives when government, business, and skills providers align around a shared goal. We must now apply that same formula across high-growth sectors from tech and tourism to renewable energy and the care economy,' Eberl urges. As the summit approaches, anticipation builds around its potential to create scalable solutions and partnerships that can turn the tide on South Africa's high unemployment rate. With a firm focus on youth employment and digital skills development, the Future of Jobs Summit stands as a beacon of hope in the ongoing effort to build a more resilient and inclusive workforce. Scheduled for May 23, 2025, the summit is set to bring together leaders from government, business, and civil society to address South Africa's unemployment crisis with actionable strategies and innovative partnerships. The Star
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Omaha area survey shows better pay, transit and housing options are keys to curbing ‘brain drain'
Greater Omaha Chamber Young Professionals gathering. (Courtesy of Greater Omaha Chamber) OMAHA — Public transit options emerged as a top complaint about the Omaha region in a survey aimed at gaining intel on how to hold onto young professional talent. Good salary, flexible scheduling and paid time off for sickness and vacation were identified as the most important workplace attractions. And a resounding 77% of respondents strongly agreed that focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace is a 'good thing.' The findings are part of a data-driven effort by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce to spotlight gaps in meeting expectations of college-educated and high skilled professionals so that employers and policymakers can reverse the 'brain drain' trend that has troubled the state. About 700 people chose to respond to the questionnaire, which was marketed and made publicly available in the eight-county area served by the chamber. The bulk of those who participated, 86%, had at least a bachelor's degree. Nearly 75% were white. Done in partnership with the University of Nebraska at Omaha-based Center for Public Affairs Research, the survey was conducted in 2024 and results were presented to chamber leaders in January. But the findings are now starting to be more widely discussed. On Monday, UNO researchers will explain highlights to a gathering at the chamber that is expected to draw young professionals, business and other leaders. 'The more we know about what talent is seeking and wanting, the more we can key in and help elevate what is going on already — or help support improvements,' said Merrick Brtek, director of the chamber's Young Professionals & Talent Development Programs. 'Is it going to fix everything? No. But it is a starting point for us to move forward with that feedback.' For example, she said, the chamber runs a program introducing newcomers and others to area resources, including information on Omaha's rapid bus transit system and how to get a daily Heartland Bike Share pass. About 73% of respondents said they were somewhat or extremely dissatisfied with transit options within the region. The chamber thinks the modern-day streetcar, which has been controversial, will help and be welcomed by young professionals once its downtown-to-midtown Omaha route opens, Brtek said. Other transit-related concerns also stood out, however. For example, 56% of respondents were somewhat or extremely dissatisfied with available transit options (such as bus, train or plane) from the Omaha area to other regions like Denver, Chicago, Kansas City or Lincoln. When it came to walk and bike friendly commutes, only 35% who participated marked extremely or somewhat satisfied. Brtek said she was pleased to see that the bulk of participants gave a high rating to overall quality of life. About 88% said they were somewhat or extremely satisfied. About 69% said the same about overall cost of living, though 60% said they were dissatisfied with the cost of taxes, such as sales, income and property. Among the more surprising nuggets to Brtek was the preference that respondents had for a hybrid but primarily in-person work environment, versus more remote. 'It's exciting that people want that community aspect — to come together, connect and collaborate,' she said. When asked to choose which work environment was most appealing, 32% marked the hybrid but primarily in-person choice; 28% marked hybrid but equally split between in-person and remote; 19% said hybrid, primarily remote; 11% said fully in person and 10% said fully remote. Josie Schafer, head of the UNO research team that worked on the survey, said the survey dovetails with another done in 2019 that tracked down and asked questions of high-skilled professionals who had already left the area. In that study, 78% said that they fled for professional growth and development. It's not that jobs weren't available locally, said Schafer, but 'density' was lacking. Participants in the earlier survey felt there was not enough upward movement in companies where top management already was set as part of a family or established network. This latest survey, on the other hand, was focused on young professionals who currently live and work in the area. Schafer said only about 12% said they were not satisfied with their job overall. The lowest rated workplace factor was pay, followed by opportunity for advancement at work, she said. 'Inflation has gone up faster than wages in the Omaha area, people are feeling wage pressure, so pay is a real issue for folks,' Schafer said. When asked which job benefits were most important, a top answer besides salary was paid time off for sickness and vacations. Most respondents said they weren't likely to try to leave their current job in the next year. But when asked if they did choose to leave, about half said they'd probably leave Nebraska completely. Top destination states mentioned were Colorado, Illinois, California, and Texas. 'That is concerning,' Schafer said of brain-drain, or high-skilled people with a college education exiting Husker territory for other states. She said that domestic out-migration has been a 'persistent issue for at least 15 years.' Housing opportunities also stood out as a weakness, she said. About 53% of participants said they were either extremely or somewhat dissatisfied with rental or for-sale housing that meets their size and quality needs. Among community-centric areas of the greater Omaha area that got the highest 'extremely satisfied' marks: entertainment, restaurants and bars (41%); health care services (39%): quality of educational institutions (35%) and overall quality of life (31%). Schafer will be sharing and discussing specifics of the survey findings at the Monday gathering. 'I don't know that we're taking enough steps to actually create the job opportunities that keep people here or the culture of organizations that keep people here,' she said, 'Or the quality of life that makes people say, 'It is worth the difference in pay to stay here.'' Among comments survey participants took the time to write: 'City council meetings are poorly placed. I would love to get involved but Tuesday at 2 p.m. assures the city only hears business owners, retired folks and those with a flexible schedule to attend. Given the perspective of politics these days, I believe this is by design to keep common folks from participation.' 'The divide on access to services/programs and basic needs is widening. Middle income is increasingly strained and state Legislature is focused on relief for highest and lowest income earners.' 'I like the flexibility. I don't like that most of the work is remote. It makes it hard to communicate with coworkers and get to know them.' 'When I started in 2021, the benefits system wouldn't let me register for benefits because it said my same sex marriage wasn't valid. Management and up regularly misgender me (I use they/them pronouns). The person who has committed the most microaggressions and discriminatory actions is our only HR person.' 'The culture of fun and employee engagement never recovered from COVID.' 'We have got to increase wages; set rental price caps; develop, enact and implement renter protections; stop with all the bars, create spaces where families are welcome but not specifically children spaces; create real public transit and incentivize environmentally conscious transportation options, repair the roads meaningfully so our cars don 't get eaten by potholes and we have to pay to repair our cars more frequently; do actual policy work that is going to get people to have a POSITIVE identity with Omaha.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
