SayYES to Youth Employment
Carnival City provides one-year learnerships for 29 tertiary graduates
CAPTION: The ten Youth Employment Service (YES) South Africa programme learners with Manthiba Musi (Learning and Change Specialist)
Front (left to right): Tsholofelo Ndlovu, Gareaipha Thobejane, Zintle Mabena, Manthiba Musi (Learning and Change Specialist), Ntombifuthi Mathebula, Mhleli Sibiya
Back (left to right): Abenathi Mlindazwe, Kutlwelo Molahloe, Katlego Mabuza, Bonga Mhlongo and Arthur Zitha
Carnival City has been running 29 learnerships since November and December 2024. While the young participants have completed four to five months of training, they still have several more months to gain additional knowledge about the hospitality industry during the 12-month programme.
The learnerships are divided between two groups: tertiary graduates who are participating in the Youth Employment Service (YES) South Africa programme, which started in December, and grade 12 graduates who have been placed in the Food & Beverage and Cashiering divisions, from November.
Youth Employment Service (YES) South Africa programme – December 2024
Ten tertiary learners are gaining hands-on career experience at Carnival City, Sun International’s casino and hotel on the East Rand, through YES.
YES is a private sector-led initiative designed to tackle youth unemployment in South Africa. The non-profit organisation partners with corporates to create job opportunities and offer 12-month work experiences for unemployed youth, who in turn acquire valuable skills. Since its inception in 2018, YES has created about 170 000 work opportunities.
“Youth unemployment is a significant socio-economic challenge in South Africa – a rate of 59.7% in the second quarter of 2024 according to Stats SA,” said Bryan O’Connor, Carnival City General Manager.
“Sun International supports employment opportunities and provides graduate jobs and bursaries, and Carnival City as one of its properties, offers employment opportunities to young people when possible. We believe the 10 learners currently training with us will gain a wealth of experience learning about the gaming and hospitality industry.”
“We view opportunity as key,” said Manthiba Musi, Carnival City’s Learning and Change Specialist. “By implementing the YES Programme, we go beyond workplace experience; it’s a pathway to meaningful employment and career success. By providing young South Africans with practical skills and industry exposure, Carnival City empowers individuals and contributes to our country’s economic growth.”
In December, Carnival City placed 10 learners who had just completed their tertiary studies in various departments – three in the Technical and Slots Department on the casino floor, two in Marketing, two in Finance, and two in the Human Resources and Learning and Development Department, as well as one in the IT Department.
“By placing learners in key departments like HR, IT, and Marketing, we provide valuable hands-on experience that prepares them for the modern workforce. In return, we gain fresh perspectives and develop a talent pipeline for future needs. This investment in youth fosters a culture of learning and adaptability, ensuring that Carnival City and South Africa thrive in a changing business environment,” said Musi.
Carnival City’s Food & Beverage division and Cashiering division – November 2024
Over and above the YES programme, Carnival City opened its doors to an additional nineteen 2024 Grade 12 graduates at the end of last year, providing further learnership opportunities. These include ten positions in the Food & Beverage division and nine in the Cashiering division of the casino.
“As of November 2024, Carnival City welcomed 19 youth from Ekurhuleni to 12 months within Food & Beverage and Cashiering learnership positions. The programme provides practical skills and industry-specific knowledge, enhancing their employability and bridging the gap between education and the labour market”, said Musi. “We are also investing in our local Ekurhuleni community, which is also key to Carnival City.”
CAPTION (left to right): Nine of the ten F&B learnership learners currently at Carnival City are Buyisile Hlongwa, Ofentse Chadibe, Sinethemba Khumalo, Ambition Kaars, Nolwazi Khuzwayo, Nqobile Maseko, Tumelo Monake, Mathapelo Msomi, and Mbali Mazibuko