JOHANNESBURG, South Africa—Following the success of the Make a Connection program in South Africa during 2001, the Youth Development Trust and Nokia announced the launch of the second phase of the initiative. Last year, more than 50 percent of graduates completing the program were successfully placed in employment and internships. The target for 2002 is to increase this figure.
Make A Connection is a global initiative of the International Youth Foundation and Nokia. In South Africa, the program is implemented by the Youth Development Trust in cooperation with the RF Group, Nokia’s mobile-phone distributor in South Africa.
Locally, the program deals with the difficulties new graduates face in finding employment, assisting young job seekers to bridge the gap between tertiary education and the workplace. The program aims to empower and train young graduates, equipping them with the skills necessary for success in professional life.
“Make A Connection, now running in Gauteng, will be expanded to the northwest and Limpopo provinces this year, with the ultimate goal of reaching the entire country,” said Ntutule Tshenye, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Youth Development Trust. “If the success of the first phase is anything to go by, these targets are achievable.”
Michelle Stephens, marketing director for the RF Group, said: “We are proud to support the Make A Connection program and hope that other organizations and companies will be motivated to similarly invest in training and development.”
