{
  "id": 20175443,
  "title": "Employers falling short of disability hiring targets – could learnerships be the answer?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/employers-falling-short-of-disability-hiring-targets-could",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/business/2026-11-15-employers-falling-short-of-disability-hiring-targets--could-learnerships-be-the-answer/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Every year, many young South Africans with disabilities graduate from schools, universities, colleges, or training courses, only to find themselves unable to secure employment. Despite their abilities and determination, they often face a job market that is reluctant to hire them. As Disability Rights Awareness Month commences from November 3 to December 3, employers are now under increased scrutiny. The final sector targets under the Employment Equity Regulations have raised the goal for people with disabilities from 2% to 3% across all sectors. Companies are now required to adopt five-year employment equity plans that incorporate these targets. For a company with 50 employees, the minimum number of employees with disabilities should be at least two. However, the gap between the target and reality is substantial. According to the Commission for Employment Equity's latest annual report, people with disabilities make up just 1.3% of the workforce in designated employers, whereas the government aims for 7% by 2030. Industry estimates indicate that unemployment among people with disabilities is over 90%, and close to 100% in rural areas. Anton Visser, the chief operations officer of SA Business School and Alefbet Learning, explains that many young people with disabilities are outside the traditional recruitment networks. He emphasizes that without a deliberate effort, these individuals risk remaining excluded from the economy for life. Most employers support inclusion in theory, but HR teams struggle to find work-ready candidates and to maintain inclusion beyond a single reporting period. Hosted learnerships offer a potential solution. Corporate sponsors fund the training and learner stipends, while a provider runs a 12-month program in an accessible, workplace-style setting. Learners work towards a recognized qualification and develop the necessary work habits for an entry-level job. Visser stresses that the ultimate goal is a career, not just a certificate. Advocacy groups argue that learnerships can sometimes become a revolving door, with companies earning B-BBEE points for hiring and training disabled individuals, even as accessibility barriers persist. The real challenge lies in the long-term job retention of these graduates. The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is actively involved in addressing the needs of young people with disabilities. Its disability strategy aligns with its parent department, and the agency has launched a new plan to facilitate broader inclusion. The NYDA has also partnered with SANParks on a program to promote disability inclusion and economic empowerment for entrepreneurs with disabilities. The agency acknowledges that support for young people with disabilities is currently at a low 1.1%, while announcing the new strategy to further enhance inclusion. Advocates urge employers to recognize that compliance with the 3% target should not be the end goal, but rather a means to create lasting teams. They emphasize that each placement should result in a disabled person earning a salary and building an independent life. For those still waiting for their first opportunity, the percentages ultimately measure the extent of their exclusion from the economy.",
  "summary": "During Disability Rights Awareness Month, running from 3 November to 3 December, employers are reminded of the target for hiring people with disabilities as most still have a long way to go.",
  "key_points": [
    "Only 1.3% of workforce with disabilities in designated employers.",
    "Unemployment among disabled people over 90%, rural areas near 100%.",
    "Hosted learnerships offer potential solution for employment."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}