From skills to earning: Partnership opens new opportunities for young South Africans

In South Africa, many young people face a significant hurdle after earning their qualifications – finding a path from learning to earning. To tackle this issue, a new partnership between the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA) and e-commerce giant Takealot has been established. This initiative, valued at R103 million, aims to bridge the gap between education and employment for 20 000 young individuals over the course of three years.

The partnership, officially launched in Katlehong on September 29th, offers various opportunities such as personal shopper training, driver development, marketplace selling, and workplace learning. Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela emphasized that skills development must be closely aligned with industry needs. He stated, "There's no way that our TVET colleges and our community colleges can produce the graduates that are needed by industry without industry participating."

Lehlogonolo Masoga, Administrator of Services SETA, highlighted that the main goal of the partnership is to transform skills development into tangible employment opportunities. "We have entered into this partnership with Takealot to translate the skills revolution into employment creation opportunities," he explained. The programme not only provides participants with a qualification but also offers practical workplace experience, digital and e-commerce skills, diverse income-generating avenues, and industry connections.

Masoga added that if the initiative proves successful within the next 12 to 36 months, Services SETA may increase its engagement with Takealot to create even more opportunities for young people. The ultimate message from this partnership is clear: skills development should not culminate with a certificate; it should propel young South Africans into the workforce, entrepreneurship, and meaningful economic participation.