Entrepreneurial Support and Entrepreneurial Intention of the Youth in Gauteng

Unemployment is a crisis that the South-African youth cannot avoid. This requires the youth to consider alternative career options such as entrepreneurship. The public and private sector needs to facilitate and support the entrepreneurial intention of the youth in Gauteng. The study aims at determining if a significant relationship exists between the support provided by the public and private sector and the entrepreneurial intention of the youth in Gauteng. The sample consisted of 357 youth in Gauteng, aged between 18-34 years, currently working full-time, part-time, self-employed, unemployed or enrolled as a student. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which was analysed using a regression analysis. The findings indicated that a significant relationship exists between the public and private sector and the entrepreneurial intention of the youth. Furthermore, the respondents do have the intention to start a business, however the act of becoming an entrepreneur was not evident. The public and private sector needs to develop alternative tools to promote entrepreneurship as a career option and create awareness with regards to these support initiatives. This study adds to the insights of policymakers, the government, private sector, academics and the youth itself to identify the support needed for the development of youth entrepreneurship and promoting the support to the youth.