The impact of a leadership development programme on the unemployed out-of-school youth

Abstract

M.A.

The primary aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of an integrated youth leadership development programme on the unemployed out-of-school youth. It focuses on their perceptions of the programme based on their experiences after the training. The study is based on a sample of 35 respondents out of the 411 youth who participated, over a period of seven years, in the development programme under review. The findings reveal that the participants found the programme to be generally useful in that it changed their mindsets and attitude towards life. Some were grateful that it helped them to get jobs while others indicated that it taught them and made them become generous and impart their skills in community projects/organisations. While there seems to be controversy around the introduction of the vocational skills module, some participants indicated that it enabled them to initiate their own businesses. Furthermore, the participants aknowledged the significance of their individual roles and contributions towards their own development. In conclusion, based on the findings, conclusions are drawn and recommendations made for consideration, for example, the need for IYLDP to continue and extend its programme to reach more people, the advantages of undergoing and completing a leadership development programmes and how best to deal with post-training challenges, and considerations for IYLDP to maximize the effectiveness of its programme. It is envisaged that the proposed suggestions will help to improve the service provided by addressing the identified unmet needs and concerns raised in the study. Lastly, specific areas for further research are highlighted for consideration, for example, the need for adequate differentiation of programme goals and objectives, quantifying programme objectives, and standardising training and recruitment procedures.