Highlights of youth into science strategy

Abstract

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched the Youth into Science Strategy: Nurturing Youth Talent for a Stronger National System of Innovation (YiSS) in 2006 to enhance participation and performance in and awareness of science and science-based careers of school-going youth and undergraduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). YiSS was expanded in 2010 to include programmes which facilitated workplace experience and work placements for post-school youth (near and undergraduates) in the areas of STEM. YiSS aims to increase the quality and quantity of SET graduates from the schooling system by improving science and technology awareness and literacy, and recruit more school-going youth and undergraduates to pursue careers in STEM. YiSS also aims to attract young people to STEM-based studies at tertiary institutions and to facilitate the completion of tertiary studies and entry into appropriate jobs in the labour market. The DST commissioned the HSRC (Education and Skills Development programme) to undertake to track participants of the YiSS programme and to map out their educational and employment trajectories. We will assess the outcomes of YiSS interventions in improving knowledge, attitudes and career choices towards SET and for unemployed graduates to acquire skills, capabilities and opportunities to enter the labour market or proceed with further studies.