The Services Sector Education and Training Authorities (Seta) and South Africa's largest online retailer Takealot have launched a three-year R103-million initiative to train 20,000 young people in e-commerce and digital economy skills. This ambitious project aims to equip participants with various skills and provide post-training support, including placements and business opportunities. The program is designed to expose participants to different ways of earning a living, such as personal shopping, driver development, marketplace selling, and workplace learning.
The initiative was launched at the Ekurhuleni West College's Katlehong campus, where Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela emphasized the importance of partnerships with industry to drive the skills revolution. According to Manamela, every training program must lead to employment or entrepreneurship, and collaborations with industry partners are crucial to providing students with experiential learning opportunities. He added that the program will expand over time, providing more opportunities for young people to gain valuable work experience.
Minister Manamela highlighted that the R103-million initiative is part of a larger effort to address the skills gap in South Africa. He mentioned that collectively, Setas have committed up to R4 billion to support skills development programs, with the ultimate target of reaching more than 200,000 young people. These programs will not be limited to e-commerce and digital skills, but will also focus on a range of skills, green jobs, artisans, and apprentices.
Services Seta administrator Lehlogonolo Masoga described the partnership with Takealot as a pilot project, which will be constantly monitored and evaluated over the next 12 to 36 months. If successful, the program may be expanded, with increased resources allocated to create more opportunities for young people. Masoga emphasized the importance of evaluating the program's impact and making adjustments as needed.
Yusuf Cassim, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, praised the efforts of his predecessor, Dr. Mimmy Gondwe, for laying the foundation for the partnership with Takealot. Cassim signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with Takealot, aimed at strengthening the connection between education, skills development, workplace experience, and employment. He recognized Gondwe's contributions to the partnership, which was initiated before her removal from office.
Minister Manamela appealed to employers to open their workplaces to learners, providing them with valuable work experience and opportunities to apply their skills. He emphasized that the success of the program will be measured by the number of learners who are employed after completing their training. Manamela called on more employers to join the program, which he believes is a crucial step towards addressing the skills gap and promoting economic growth.
The partnership between Services Seta and Takealot is seen as a significant step towards addressing the skills gap in South Africa's digital economy. With a focus on providing young people with practical skills and work experience, the program has the potential to make a positive impact on the country's unemployment rate and economic growth. As the program progresses, it will be closely monitored and evaluated to assess its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
Key points
- The initiative aims to train 20,000 young people in e-commerce and digital economy skills over three years.
- The program will provide participants with post-training support, including placements and business opportunities.
- The initiative is part of a larger effort to address the skills gap in South Africa, with Setas committing up to R4 billion to support skills development programs.
