"South Africa faces many challenges — not the least of which is the triple threat of high unemployment, a lack of skills and the urgent requirement for training and upliftment," says the fast-food provider.

"This is particularly important when one realises that the nation's youth, which represents the future of the country, has been especially hard-hit by the job shortage," adds KFC.

"To this end, KFC has launched a programme designed to enable individuals from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to gain access to quality education and employment opportunities, through the brand," says Akhona Qengqe, chief people officer at KFC Africa. 

Qengqe highlights that focusing on the youth is critical, as the most recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey from Stats SA indicates that the official unemployment rate was 32,6%. However, the rate for those aged 15 to 34 years was actually 46,3% and, if kept only to the age bracket 15 to 24, unemployment was at a massive 63% irrespective of education level.

"With such statistics in mind, KFC is proud to have launched its very own learnership programme. In its initial phase, 100 youngsters from our communities and from previously disadvantaged backgrounds will be employed by KFC for a 12-month period, after which they will receive a qualification," Qengqe says.

"These learnerships ensure the youth involved earn a salary, are upskilled as they go and receive training and a certification, making them more employable in the future. At the same time, KFC continues to give back, creating opportunities internally and providing the much-needed experience for the broader job market," Qengqe adds.

Qengqe says that this is a continuation of KFC's ongoing commitment to investing in youth development across every level of the business. This approach encompasses the company's Add Hope initiative, which raises money to provide over 150 000 children with the vital nutrition needed to improve their concentration and focus in the classroom.

"Similarly, the inaugural KFC Ikusasa Lethu (which means for our future in isiZulu) scholarship programme is now officially underway. Currently assisting 25 pupils, this offering provides access to quality education for deserving learners whose parents either work for a KFC restaurant or who are among the KFC Add Hope beneficiaries across South Africa," she says.

"Our current Fast Food Certificate Programme offers those involved a 12-month paid contract, with the opportunity for permanent employment, where requirements allow. Presently underway in the Free State and the Northern Cape, the project is expected to achieve even greater heights with a number of KFC's national franchise partners coming on board," says KFC.

"Ultimately, this along with a certification to back this up. More than this, we expect this programme to play its part in broadening diversity and inclusion, creating additional job opportunities and helping to solve team turnover by building capacity and creating a larger pool of talent for the future," she concludes.

For more information, visit www.global.kfc.com.  You can also follow KFC on Instagram