Guy Redman | March 5, 2025
Prioritizing investments in people under the age of 25 with the highest unemployment rates and at the same time close to the labour market is a low fruit and prevents them from becoming long-term NEETs (not employment, education, or training).
There's a lot written about our youth unemployment crisis, and the lobby is expanding to utilize public funds to provide a bridge to the economy.
Having worked with youth through a variety of programs over the past decade, I add my voice to calls for increased investment in pathways for those who are not taking part in Employment, Education and Training (NEET).
What many have not commented on is the importance of rebuilding civil society and fostering the potential for next generation of leadership. The value of youth service, one of the channels funded by the President's Youth Employment Initiative, is highly undervalued.
This year, Yearbeyond, one of the National Youth Service (NYS) programs, received over 43,000 applications for just 3,000 youth service opportunities.
When asked why they are applying, most young people say it's about making a difference in their community. This is consistent with broader NYS data, indicating that 79% of participants participate in the program and actively contribute to the community each year.
It is also important to note that participants feel viewed and heard through the service as adults and members of the community and family. This will boost their mental health and confidence. Other programs under the President's Youth Employment Initiative have collected similar data on the importance of work in people's lives and its role in restoring dignity and confidence.
Internationally, youth services demonstrate similar benefits. In India, the National Service Scheme is where millions of young people participate in community service, improving leadership and job skills.
The African Union Youth Volunteer Corps is close to their homes and promotes volunteers to deepen the status of young people in Africa. Similarly, in the US, Americas bring hundreds of thousands of participants into service programs each year, with research showing that graduates feel their service experience has expanded their career paths.
In the European Union, the Solidarity Corps offers young people volunteer and work experiences that strengthen employment potential and social cohesion.
The chances of younger people being productively reduced knowing that they are NEETs each year. So prioritizing investments in people under the age of 25, with the highest unemployment rate and at the same time close to the labour market, is a drooping fruit and prevents them from becoming long-term NEETs.
Therefore, I argue that the focus of priorities should be on children aged 18 to 25 years old and that they should support them before they lose all hope. Given that over two-thirds of these young people come from households with no working adults, it is important for them to work full-time, build work fitness, gain experience, understand the world of work, and develop skills.
Young people can take on a variety of roles, including education champions, leading champions, ICT champions, environmental champions, food security advocates, and well-being champions.
This community-based service strengthens the community's social structure. It also unlocks youth civic institutions and enhances ongoing engagement and volunteerism.Yearbeyond, The Power of 10 Impact Study, 2025).
Globally, youth citizen involvement is associated with higher employment outcomes and social mobility. A study by the International Labour Organization found that structured volunteer programs improve soft skills, adaptability and networking. This is an important factor in ensuring long-term employment. Recent data from STATS SA shows that young people with work experience are four times more likely to secure employment.
Public employment baskets provide a set of support. For those closest to the labour market, programs such as youth services can play an active labour market role, focusing on job preparation and economic connections. This provides a route for up to 70% of participants.
But for those far away, for those without a matrix or stagnant economy, additional help is needed to prevent them from returning to NEET. In these cases, programs such as the Social Employment Fund can provide additional support and foothold while continuing to explore options.
Turn the tide and allow young people to unlock energy and agents. Join the service movement and recognize youth services as a key component of economic recovery, social cohesion and leadership development. We call on youth to serve. We call businesses and NGOs to create service opportunities. We are calling on all sectors of the government to increase investment in youth services.
“Disclaimer – the views and opinions expressed in this article are the views of the author and are not necessarily those of the Bee Room.”
