After receiving thousands of entries for its Young Entrepreneurs Programme (YEP), the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has chosen 25 youngsters to travel overseas for six weeks of business mentorship training.
The programme offers opportunities for young business owners to acquire skills and learn business theory through workshops, lectures and online training, giving them the skills they need to grow their businesses.
The programme is a partnership between the NYDA, the International Business Association (IBA) Global and Amaanah Business Consulting.
In its fourth year, the YEP offers aspiring and established young entrepreneurs the chance to absorb skills from top international entrepreneurs in the USA, Germany, Italy and Spain.
According to NYDA’s executive manager for economic development Tamari Mavasa, the programme encourages entrepreneurship development, promotes employment opportunities and develops skills, which could address the high rate of unemployment among South African youth. IBA Global president Emiley Vollmer noted that the 25 youth were selected from a range of talented entrepreneurs from across the country. “We identified and selected those who stood out as the most deserving of a place on the mentorship programme. We have contacted them and they are all raring to get started,” she said. Leena Shimpanda, of Mono Transport, is one of those excited to start the programme. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to take part in this prestigious programme. Thank you very much for getting me a step closer to realising my goals and for believing in the dreams of every young entrepreneur who has made it this far,” she said.The group will leave for the USA on 30 April.
Entries for the next intake into the YEP opened in April 2013. Twenty-five more youngsters will be chosen to be part of the fifth mentorship programme, which is scheduled to start in February 2014.
All young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35 are urged to apply. Requirements for applicants include being a South African citizen, having a valid passport, willing to travel, ability to speak English and demonstrating a passion for business. Application forms are available from www.nyda.gov.za or from your nearest NYDA branch.
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