Opportunities for youth - entry level jobs and further education
For youth aged 18-34 years in South Africa, opportunities are minimal for kickstarting their self-sufficiency journey through gainful employment. There are vast contributing factors including limited growth in South Africa’s economy, lack of jobs and job alignment with the skillset available as well as the vast majority of the unemployed not having opportunities to study further post-matric (skills not aligning with industry needs and upcoming demand).
With this in mind, we hope to be of use to you by providing information for identifying jobs, new or further skilling as well as education funding opportunities.
WORK OPPORTUNITIES
Nasi iSpani - This is a Gauteng Provincial Government initiative for permanent jobs in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, West Rand, Sedibeng with varying skill levels. Additional information including the Nasi iSpani booklet can be sourced here.
Khethe - Part of the Department of Higher Education & Training, Khetha offers resources for students seeking funding for higher education, work, skills and more. For unemployed youth, resources include public skills and training programmes. You can get career advice by sending an SMS or “please call me” to 072 204 5056 to speak to a career advisor.
Municipalities of South Africa - Open vacancies for all municipalities in the country, be it internships, fixed-term contracts or permanent roles.
Lulaway - Youth employment solutions in partnership with the government and private sectors. Entry level jobseekers can upload their CV on their platform, connect through the Lulaway physical job centres or dial *120*5852#
SA Youth Mobi - This is a zero-rated platform (no data costs) if using your mobile phone and managed by Harambee to offer jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, youth programmes and skilling opportunities. You will be required to register on their platform, with the requirements of providing an identity number for South African citizens, permanent residents, and refugees, or a valid work permit for foreign nationals.
Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) - By creating a profile on the platform, you will be able to search for open roles within the Department of Employment & Labour’s dataset.
South African Government - Several government department job openings are posted such as the Department of Tourism, the Presidency, Health, Higher Education and Training. The Department of Tourism offers several training and internship opportunities such as Wine Service, Professional Cookery, Hospitality, and Food Safety Quality Assurers.
NomadNow - Whether you are a freelancer or looking for remote work from South Africa, NomadNow connects you to local and international companies. You set your own rate and work conditions and potential employees approach you and vice versa.
Ungraasa -Assists unemployed graduates with work readiness skills, internship placement or entrepreneurial support.
For further guidance on starting your job search including websites to use, collating your CV, and how to use LinkedIn, refer to our other detailed blog posts.
SKILLS & TRAINING
National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) - An agency structured for addressing youth development issues at National, Provincial and Local Government levels. They hold various initiatives throughout the year to address challenges encountered by youth in South Africa through skills initiatives, grants, business support, mentorships etc.
GirlCode - Technology-focused programs for women between 18 - 35 years. Programs are full time (minimum 3 months) and include Web Development, AWS Cloud Practitioner and Systems Development Learnership (NQF 5).
CapaCiti - Short courses on digitisation and accredited skills training. such as National Certificate: Business Analysis (NQF6) and National Certificate: Information Technology End User Computing (NQF3).
Skills to Success Academy - An Accenture initiative with free courses and training to align with global job trends as well as job placements suited to your skillsets.
Youth Skills Development (YSD) - YSD offers training for school leavers and unemployed youth aged 18-35 and hailing from challenged backgrounds. Training programmes are in Hospitality, Beauty & Wellness, Craft & Design and Soft Skills.
Absa Cybersecurity Academy - A free Cybersecurity Learning Hub in conjunction with the World Economic Forum, aligning the curriculum with the global Cybersecurity demand.
We Think Code - Platform that trains youth in digital skills with a curriculum focused on programming and software development.
Mr Price Jumpstarter Programme - Skilling provided in the retail domain, with 3 weeks skilling and work readiness provided to matriculants in either retail sales, frontline, warehouse or production.
Esri South Africa - Free SAQA accredited training in Geographic Information System (GIS) for unemployed youth between the ages of 18 - 30.
SERR Yes - Provides youth with employability training in areas such as Business Literacy, IT Fundamentals, Workplace Synergy; Workplace Systems and Procedures and Functional Mathematics.
Shoprite Retail Readiness Programme (RRP) - A 2-month programme offering an NQF level 3 qualification to equip youth between 18-34 years with no previous work experience., with skills to work in a retail environment. Shoprite also offers a 12 months on-the-job training as part of the Youth Employment Services (YES).
See Youth by Cell C - Platform with tools for navigating the professional domain including CV creation, bursaries, training courses etc.
Youth Cafe Western Cape - A platform for youth between 16-25 to maximise growth and learning opportunities including employment programmes, wellness programmes, specialised courses and more within Western Cape, with physical cafes located in George, Mitchell’s Plain, Crossroads etc.
Waves of Change Maritime Programme - Aimed at unemployed youth of 18–35 years from Cape Town and surroundings, offering a 10-day life skills and practical programme as well as a specific 3-month sewing course for young girls and women.
Value Ed - Platform that offers online skills enhancing courses, ranging from navigating job searches, job readiness, self mastery, social media & personal branding etc. They currently have an offer for R100 for 100 days of access to 18+ live & interactive courses, 300+ educational videos.
Mzansi Digital Learning - Free courses to build foundational hard and soft skills relevant to tech-enabled jobs. Backed by Microsoft, you gain a certification to get you started on your industry work journey.
Lulalabs - Get training to become a scooter driver with support on getting a scooter license. One can also get involved in the Agri-Livelihoods Programme and learn the entrepreneurial aspects of running an agribusiness.
Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate - Beginner-level 6 months programme on Coursera to equip you for entry-level roles in Cybersecurity. No degree or previous experience is required.
FNB Udemy - Enrol for up to 6 courses per year and pay R50 activation fee per course. Courses available include IT, Marketing, Personal Development etc.
YouthX - Powered by Nedbank, the site provides resources for youth spanning different categories such as Arts & Culture, Technology & Innovation, Social Good & Sustainability and Sport & Entertainment.
FundiConnect - Offers a wide range of information to equip you as you embark on your career or seek further education and skilling.
FUNDING
NSAFAS - The official government entity that provides financial support to disadvantaged students who wish to further their studies at public universities or TVET colleges. Funding includes living, book, and personal care allowance. Minimum eligibility is South African citizenship and a combined household income of less than R350 000 per year.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - The programme financially supports full-time, unemployed students in obtaining qualifications in areas that are deemed a priority within Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).
Ikusasa - Provides higher education funding for South African citizens whose families’ yearly income is between R0 - R600 000.
Bursaries South Africa - The platform continuously posts new bursaries available in different tertiary education fields as well as the corresponding closing dates for applications.
Funza Lushaka Teaching Bursary - A multi-year programme for a full teaching qualification open to South African citizens accepted into a recognized higher education institution.
Youth Technology Innovation Fund - Financial and business support resources for youth aged 18-30 in the sphere of technology innovation and entrepreneurship.
Note: Companies and universities operating in South Africa often have a bursary, internship, learnership and or graduate programme. Check company websites for this information, application requirements and deadlines. Search Top 500 as a starting point.
