In a country like South Africa, where youth unemployment stands at a staggering 45% and inequality remains among the highest globally, the challenge is monumental. Yet, South Africa continues to foster groundbreaking innovations to tackle this crisis. Mintor is not shying away.
One notable success story involves Training Force, a leading South African learnership provider.
Training Force recently adopted Mintor’s WhatsApp Recruitment tool to extend its reach into underserved communities, where limited internet access and high data costs pose significant barriers to youth. Mintor’s solution enables communication with individuals regardless of their circumstances, leveraging WhatsApp’s affordability and widespread usage in rural and township areas.
This approach allows families to share numbers, significantly broadening the pool of candidates compared to conventional recruitment methods.
Mintor’s AI-powered bots streamline the application process by guiding applicants through profile completion, document submission, and preliminary screening. This automation provides recruiters with a curated shortlist of the best-fit candidates from thousands of applicants. Simultaneously, the bots empower job seekers with professionally formatted CVs, interview preparation tips, and career guidance.
A 2021 study conducted by Mintor in collaboration with Youth Capital demonstrated that this approach reduces job application costs for marginalised communities by up to 85% and improves job retention rates by 70%.
Training Force’s recent deployment of Mintor’s technology underscores its potential. Feedback from successful applicants underscores the tool’s impact.
For example, Anita Monzi shared that “WhatsApp helped me apply very fast. I will forever recommend it for anyone interested in applying.”
Similarly, Avuzwa Hedeni noted, “It was an easy chat, and I didn’t spend a lot of data. The learnership will change my life; I will learn and gain experience.”
According to Mintor’s survey, 78% of youth prefer WhatsApp for job applications, and 72% stated they wouldn’t have known about these opportunities or been able to apply without the WhatsApp accessibility. This data underscores the effectiveness of Mintor’s approach in addressing critical barriers to employment.
By integrating AI with accessible technology, Mintor and Training Force are creating pathways for unemployed youth to acquire skills, gain meaningful employment, and improve their futures. Their collaborative efforts exemplify how technology and innovation can drive social change and economic empowerment.