In a bid to address South Africa's staggering youth unemployment rate of over 60%, Jessica Hawkey founded redAcademy, a pioneering institution dedicated to bridging the gap between young talent and the country's burgeoning ICT sector. With over 100,000 vacancies in the industry, including 44,000 junior roles, Hawkey saw an opportunity to create a new pathway for South African youth to enter highly skilled technology careers.
Born and raised in Cape Town's northern suburbs, Hawkey gained valuable business experience locally and abroad before returning to South Africa with a determination to contribute to change in her home country. Throughout her career, she often found herself as the youngest person around the table and the only woman, an experience that exposed her to diverse perspectives and different ways of thinking.
Hawkey's entrepreneurial journey began when she identified a pressing need to support young South Africans into highly skilled technology careers while helping businesses address their talent shortages. Her innovative approach, Skills-Integration-as-a-Service, provides a customized one-year, office-based program that offers real work experience in a client's working environment, overseen by redAcademy.
The results of Hawkey's efforts are impressive, with 95% of redAcademy graduates entering employment in technology after graduating. Her work not only provides clients with a return on their skills investment but also gives young people opportunities to change their futures. By offering a practical solution to the country's skills shortage, Hawkey is making a tangible impact on the lives of countless young South Africans.
Hawkey's contribution to the tech industry has been recognized through various accolades, including being named Top Tech Innovator of the Year in the ITWeb Wired for Women awards in 2024. This prestigious award is a testament to her dedication and innovative approach to addressing the country's skills shortage.
redAcademy's success has been further demonstrated through its committed clients in the retail and fintech sectors, who have seen the value in the model's ability to provide role-ready talent. Hawkey's passion and purpose lie in helping businesses fill talent gaps with people trained and experienced in their environments, while supporting talented youth into careers they might otherwise not have considered possible.
As the founder of a rapidly scaling business, Hawkey's days are filled with opportunities to create an impact. Despite the challenges that come with entrepreneurship, she remains committed to her vision of empowering young South Africans through education and skills development, ultimately contributing to a brighter future for her country.
Key points
- Jessica Hawkey's innovative approach to tech education has resulted in a 95% employment rate for redAcademy graduates.
- Hawkey was named Top Tech Innovator of the Year in the ITWeb Wired for Women awards in 2024.
- redAcademy addresses both youth unemployment and the ICT sector's critical skills shortage in South Africa.
