YOUTHS in three provinces are receiving business and life skills training through the First National Bank Commercial Life Skills and Mentorship Programme.

YOUTHS in three provinces are receiving business and life skills training through the First National Bank Commercial Life Skills and Mentorship Programme.

It is run in partnership with Junior Achievement South Africa. This respected youth development organisation prepares young people for life after school by raising their awareness of economic issues, teaching them entrepreneurial and life skills and providing them with an understanding of the business world.

Now in its fifth year, it is expected to reach 50 youth each in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape with an 11-week enterprise programme, a 10-week business skills course and a three-week career development series.

"Our experience over 30 years of running entrepreneurial programmes always points to the dearth of skills in this sector.

"Partnerships such as this one thus become important in attempts to close this gap," said Junior Achievement South Africa managing directo Linda McClure.

FNB Commercial Bank chief executive Iris Dempsey, said: "The programme is unique in its effort to grow entrepreneurs. It uses volunteers to run the initiative, which is facilitated through Junior Achievement SA.

"The bank's commercial staff administer the programme and executives lecture and mentor students."