Digital Skills Partnership Aims to Expand Opportunity for South African Youth

Digital Skills Partnership Aims to Expand Opportunity for South African Youth. WeThinkCode_ has partnered with the IDC Social Employment Fund to launch a community driven digital skills programme designed to reach 44000 young people across South Africa.

The initiative focuses on building practical digital literacy and work readiness capabilities while creating pathways into the digital economy.

Through Income Backed Learning Pathways students earn wages as they train allowing them to balance education with financial responsibilities.

According to Bhavanesh Parbhoo SEF programme manager the collaboration demonstrates how partnerships can unlock opportunity at scale while preparing young people for future careers.

The programme is delivered through in person workshops hosted with community organisations and high schools for learners in grades 10 to 12.

Online webinars extend access nationally offering participants digital certificates and flexible learning opportunities.

Initial partners include the SA Artificial Intelligence Olympiad Lea Schools Ennerdale Library and Thokoza Progressive Youth.

Ruvimbo Gwatirisa Director of Partnerships at WeThinkCode_ says digital inclusion is fundamental to economic mobility and community development.

She explains that students advance their own learning while delivering training that supports thousands of young people in their communities.

The initiative builds on an existing collaboration with the Industrial Development Corporation through support for Central Johannesburg TVET College Parktown Campus.

The campus has produced 32 graduates with 20 employed by partner organisations including Global Track MTN and Codeplex.

With youth unemployment remaining a pressing challenge the programme offers a scalable model for developing skills aligned with the demands of the digital economy.

By placing training directly within neighbourhoods the model encourages participation from young people who may otherwise face barriers to accessing formal education or employment opportunities.

It also enables local organisations to collaborate in shaping learning environments that reflect real community needs priorities and practical pathways into meaningful work and entrepreneurship.

The partnership highlights the role of collaborative funding and shared expertise in expanding digital access while strengthening work readiness among participants across diverse social and economic contexts nationwide today continually.

Programme organisers say the structure allows learning to happen alongside real world application giving participants immediate exposure to workplace expectations communication standards problem solving practices and teamwork experiences that support long term employability growth prospects.

By combining paid learning community outreach and digital skills development the initiative presents an approach intended to widen access to opportunity while strengthening confidence capability and participation in South Africa’s evolving technology driven economy.