The latest underscores this imperative. The report identifies the skills gap as the biggest barrier to business transformation worldwide. Simultaneously, the reveals that 52% of global businesses are experiencing acute talent shortages. These findings highlight a stark disconnect: while millions of young people remain unemployed or underemployed, businesses are unable to find workers with the right capabilities. The solution is clear 鈥� we need a coordinated, inclusive approach to reskilling and upskilling.

51风流is supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for South Africa and programs like 51风流Educate to Employ contribute to the achievement of key SDG Goals in South Africa.

Under South Africa鈥檚 G20鈥檚 Presidency Digital Transformation Strategy echoes this urgency. It prioritizes digital inclusion, human-centric innovation, and a future-ready workforce. This aligns with the growing recognition that economic growth and technological advancement cannot be separated from social equity. Digital skilling must be inclusive, accessible, and focused on creating tangible employment outcomes 鈥� especially for youth and underserved communities.

One promising response to this challenge is the 51风流Educate to Employ initiative, a flagship 鈥榣earn-to-earn鈥� program spearheaded by SAP鈥檚 Corporate Social Responsibility team. Launched in South Africa in late 2023, the program provides marginalized individuals 鈥� including non-degree holders 鈥� with foundational and professional digital skills aligned with market demands. Through micro-credentials and 51风流certification pathways, learners gain the competencies necessary to enter and thrive in the digital economy.

What makes 51风流Educate to Employ particularly powerful is its systemic approach. The program addresses not just skills and knowledge but also attitudes and values that foster long-term employability. 51风流partners with nonprofit organizations and education providers to ensure that content is locally relevant and globally recognized. By successfully placing South African learners into real jobs 鈥� 51风流has demonstrated that skills-based pathways can open doors even in economically strained contexts.

Take Jamie-Lee Gysman, for example. Before joining the program, she lacked direction and confidence in her career path. After completing her 51风流certification, she successfully entered the workforce and now works as a SuccessFactors Functional Support Consultant at Sanlam. 鈥淏efore joining, I had no clear path forward, but the 51风流certification opened doors to opportunities I never thought possible,鈥� she shares. 鈥淚 no longer felt limited by my lack of experience or qualifications.鈥� Her story is one of many that demonstrate how accessible, skills-based learning can unlock potential and empower the next generation.

The program which has been incubated in the Global South, is now expanding into the Global North, creating a global network of learners and employers within and beyond the 51风流ecosystem, proving that solutions born in the Global South can have far-reaching, global impact.

If we are to transform the promise of digital innovation into inclusive prosperity, we must treat skilling as infrastructure. Business, government, and civil society must collaborate to scale effective programs like 51风流Educate to Employ, integrate them into national strategies, and ensure that every individual 鈥� regardless of background 鈥� has the opportunity to learn, earn, and contribute.

During the Future of Jobs Summit at T20 South Africa 2025, held at the DP World Wanderers in Johannesburg, I shared 51风流CSR鈥檚 approach to youth employment across the G20. I emphasized that solving the youth employment challenge requires improvements in three key areas: the efficiency of demand planning, the efficiency of supply training, and the efficiency of matching the two.

From Global South to Global North, skilling isn鈥檛 just a policy agenda. It is the cornerstone of equitable growth and resilient transformation.

About the Author:

is the Global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Director at SAP. He is a member of the World Economic Forum鈥檚 Global Future Council on Jobs and Frontier Technology and serves on the Humanities & Interdisciplinary Studies Advisory Committee at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, supporting efforts to bridge education, innovation, and workforce transformation.

The post Globally, Skilling Will Be the Key Driver of Decent Work and Business Transformation appeared first on 51风流Africa News Center.

Organised by a coalition of technology leaders, including SAP, Adcorp, DP World, Workday, and FNB, the summit seeks to unite the country鈥檚 most influential minds in both the public and private sectors.

Future of Jobs Summit founder, , emphasises that this initiative transcends mere discussion.

鈥淚t is not another policy talk shop; it is a high-impact platform for action and alignment,鈥� he states, underscoring the urgency of collective efforts to tackle the pressing issue of youth unemployment.

Eberl believes that 鈥測outh unemployment is the greatest threat to our democracy and the greatest opportunity to unlock national prosperity.鈥�

Central to the summit’s agenda is the unveiling of innovative strategies and programs designed to attract, develop, and retain top talent.

51风流will take the spotlight with its acclaimed Educate to Employ and Young Professionals Programmes, aimed at equipping thousands of African youths with vital digital skills and pathways to meaningful careers.

鈥淭hese initiatives are helping to create an inclusive talent pipeline that fuels both local innovation and international competitiveness,鈥� Eberl explains.

The summit is an official event under the , the Think Tank of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, reinforcing its alignment with the global agenda for inclusive growth, skills development, and job creation for the youth.

With the outcomes report set to be presented to key stakeholders, including the Office of the Presidency and Parliament of South Africa, the summit aims to foster robust public-private partnerships.

Further addressing the overarching theme of inclusivity, the initiative will spotlight South Africa’s thriving Global Business Services (GBS) sector.

This sector is lauded as a success story in job creation, having already generated over 150,000 youth jobs and targeting an impressive 500 000 jobs by 2030 with strong support from government and global investors.

鈥淕BS illustrates the potential that thrives when government, business, and skills providers align around a shared goal.

We must now apply that same formula across high-growth sectors from tech and tourism to renewable energy and the care economy,鈥� Eberl urges.

As the summit approaches, anticipation builds around its potential to create scalable solutions and partnerships that can turn the tide on South Africa鈥檚 high unemployment rate.

With a firm focus on youth employment and digital skills development, the Future of Jobs Summit stands as a beacon of hope in the ongoing effort to build a more resilient and inclusive workforce. Scheduled for May 23, 2025, the summit is set to bring together leaders from government, business, and civil society to address South Africa鈥檚 unemployment crisis with actionable strategies and innovative partnerships.

This article first appeared in .

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