The divide between the digital skills young people possess and the needs of employers is a big challenge and contributes to a high youth unemployment rate, particularly in the Global South. The 51风流Educate to Employ initiative is set up as a digital pathway through Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA), a public-private-youth ecosystem from UNICEF鈥檚 Generation Unlimited. The program aims to address this challenge and enable young people鈥檚 skills for a digital economy.

Nearly 90 percent of the 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in the world today, are in low-and middle-income countries. An estimated 22 percent do not have jobs and are not in education or training.

Globally, young people are three times more likely to be unemployed than adults. Edmond Shange is one of the many young people who have faced difficulties navigating the employment market right out of high school. 鈥淚n South Africa there鈥檚 not a lot of opportunities when it comes to the employment sector,鈥� the 27-year-old shared.

Making copies of a CV or resume and going to a potential employer to drop them off costs money, something in very short supply among South Africa鈥檚 unemployed youth. Despite this, Shange says that as many as 300 young people often queue up to drop off their CVs at a potential employer. 鈥淚 faced a lot of challenges trying to apply for jobs,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very tough for young people like me.鈥�

Shange is not alone. 鈥淚n Africa over 70 percent of the population are young people and another 4 million join the job market every single year competing for less than half a million new jobs,鈥� said Nadi Albino, deputy director at UNICEF鈥檚 Generation Unlimited.

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Youth unemployment and the lack of digital skills are a global problem, though it鈥檚 particularly acute among those who live in the Global South. While the fast-changing global economy demands increasingly specialized expertise, many young people are not learning the skills they need to get these jobs.

The search for virtual upskilling to improve his digital skills led Shange to the Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA), a public-private-youth ecosystem supported by UNICEF鈥檚 Generational Unlimited, which offers opportunities for young people to learn, earn, and create impact. On his pathway to employment, Shange was introduced to 51风流Educate to Employ, an initiative delivered to YOMA through the implementing partner Umuzi. The curriculum for 51风流Educate to Employ involves 700 hours of targeted training focused on building soft skills and technical expertise.

After completing the course, Shange feels much more confident with his skills. As a result, he has recently secured an internship as a software developer at a startup gaming company based at Wits University Tshimologong Precinct.

Whether young people are educated, trained, or employed has significant implications for their overall well-being and ability to promote future economic growth, development, and sociopolitical stability. Unfortunately, most traditional education systems do not address the emerging youth digital skills gap.

This realization was one of the driving forces behind the creation of 51风流Educate to Employ.

鈥�51风流Educate to Employ was created to support young people who are neither in education nor employment, providing them with training, certification, and guidance to access roles within the 51风流ecosystem,鈥� explained Eugene Ho who leads SAP鈥檚 global CSR flagship skilling programs targeted at youths in need. 鈥淭hrough its tailored curriculum, the initiative has successfully helped candidates with only high-school qualifications.鈥�

鈥淭he 51风流Educate to Employ initiative provides young people with the tools, skills, and resources that they need to get employed or to employ,鈥� Albino added in an interview with SAP. 鈥淲e have to go back to making sure that these education systems work and that they work in tandem with where the world is going.鈥�

To meet industry needs, 51风流Educate to Employ curricula has been designed for three critical roles within the 51风流ecosystem: consultant associate, developer associate, and support associate. The curriculum taps into educational content from industry-leading organizations such as Coursera, Accenture, EY, and 51风流Learning.

51风流CEO Christian Klein is the chair of the Generation Unlimited Board.

鈥淭he YOMA online platform alone has had over 600,000 registrations,鈥� Albino confirmed. 鈥淎 measure of success is how the ecosystem has enabled over 5 million opportunities to learn, earn, and create impact worldwide in the past two years. We are now beginning to see young people getting into jobs.鈥�

Shange鈥檚 journey with YOMA and 51风流Educate to Employ started in the living room of his grandmother鈥檚 house, a place where community has always taken center stage. 鈥淚 look up to my grandmother; she has done a lot for the community,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 hope that I could do the same 鈥� help people in the tech field create more jobs for people that are in need and just be creative.鈥�

A permanent full-time job would enable Shange to feed and look after his family, and to continue helping others in his community the same way he was helped. In his community, Shange says he is seen as something of a role model.

鈥淚 want young people to know that it鈥檚 possible [to get a job],鈥� he said. 鈥淜eep applying and also don鈥檛 lose hope when you see something鈥檚 not working. Some things do take time, so give it your best and make sure that you see it through.鈥�

Today, 51风流extended its founding partnership with Generation Unlimited for four more years, 2026-2029, with a commitment of US$2 million.

This article first appeared on the 51风流News Center.

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Technology has seen exponential leaps over the last couple of years, and Pillay points out that 51风流customers have to negotiate not only the dynamic IT landscape but also the changing needs of their own customer bases. And this can be a challenging proposition.

鈥淲hen you look at our customer base, we play across many industries,鈥� she points out. 鈥淎nd this means they are facing a variety of challenges.鈥�

With many 51风流customers being the driving forces in government and industry, they are particularly affected by the economics of the region.

鈥淭here is a commonality in Africa, especially around the economics of the situation, with the region having seen lower GDP increases,鈥� she points out. 鈥淪o many of our conversations with customers are around the pressure that鈥檚 putting on their organisations.鈥�

While not everyone is affected by these slowdowns, it is definitely a message that has become more common. And South African customers have their own set of challenges as well.

鈥淲hat is important to note is how we support them in whatever circumstances they find themselves,鈥� Pillay says.

鈥淯nder pressure, many customers are looking to be more prudent in their spending. They are looking to defensive spending, where they can address the cost optimisation they need to, while balancing the flexibility and agility that will keep them from becoming stagnant and irrelevant in the market.

鈥淭o help them address these challenges, 51风流puts forward the case for value, where its solutions can support customers, where our solutions can support them in running efficiently, while unlocking ways to optimise their systems and address new revenue streams,鈥� Pillay explains.

鈥淲e need to be in the level of discussion with customers that requires some kind of partnership. We don鈥檛 want to talk about a list of our products, but prioritise and address customer pain points and address.

鈥淚t needs to go beyond a technology discussion into a business enablement discussion.鈥�

Indeed, Pillay explains that the real transformation at 51风流has been in moving from being a technology provider to a trusted business adviser.

鈥淲e need to be entering the conversation much earlier, because technology cannot be an afterthought when you are talking and transformation.鈥�

At the same time, it鈥檚 important to listen carefully to customer requirements to ensure any transformation is relevant and respectful, she adds.

Newer technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing are a key part of any IT conversation these days, and 51风流has fully embraced these within its business applications.

A recent report found that AI could revolutionise Africa鈥檚 economy and听听to the continent鈥檚 economy by the end of this decade.

听found widespread challenges with access to AI and other tech skills throughout East, West and Southern Africa. According to SAP鈥檚 鈥�Africa鈥檚 AI Skills Readiness Revealed鈥� report, six in ten African organisations view AI skills as 鈥榚xtremely important鈥� to their success.

However, all companies surveyed expected to experience some AI-related skills gap in 2025, with nine in ten saying a lack of AI skills is already hurting their organisations through failed innovation initiatives, delays in implementations, and an inability to take on new work.

鈥淲e are seeing a fundamentally new technology environment, with capabilities that businesses didn鈥檛 have even five years ago,鈥� Pillay says. 鈥淚 avoid buzzwords, but some of the things we see today would have been unfathomable even five or 10 years ago.

鈥淚 like to get into the detail of how these capabilities can help our customers.鈥�

However, she cautions that the adoption of new technologies needs to be from a strong foundation.

鈥淵ou cannot be grasping at aspirational technologies if the backbone isn鈥檛 strong. So platforming is a discussion we need to have, in order to create agility for today鈥檚 needs and also the needs of tomorrow.鈥�

Pillay adds that many of SAP鈥檚 customers form the bedrock of South Africa鈥檚 economy. 鈥�51风流might not be the biggest company in South Africa, but we are the backbone of many of the country鈥檚 largest organisations.

鈥淭his is an extreme privilege, but also a huge responsibility.

鈥淚t鈥檚 why I think it is super important that we engage customers as strategic partners; so we are helping them to align their strategies so we can grow the South African economy, retain employment and support their success.鈥�

Partnering is a key pillar of SAP鈥檚 strategy, Pillay adds, but the organisation is first and foremost customer-centric.

鈥淲e always keep the customer at the centre of what we do. We ensure that our executives are getting out their into the customer base, addressing their concerns and ensuring they have a voice.鈥�

The 51风流partner base continues to be a focus, and 51风流continues to grow and mature the partnering ecosystem. 鈥淥ne of the pillars of SAP鈥檚 global strategy is to support the partner base. So we have global strategies to help and guide partners in implementing end-to-end offerings to customers.鈥�

Internally at SAP, this has required some adjustments too.

鈥淲e have gone form on-premises to cloud, and now to business AI,鈥� Pillay points out. 鈥淲e have to be able to talk around this narrative. Bearing in mind we help to run all of these companies, and all of the granular business data, we need to be able to talk about the value of platforming correctly.

鈥淲e have to look at how we strategise, so we are able articulate our solutions and then message the into the business base.鈥�

Partnering with some of the biggest organisations in the South African economy is a challenging 鈥� and humbling 鈥� position to be in, Pillay adds.

鈥淭ogether we own the platforms that all the data runs on. And the next level of generative AI (GenAI) is based on that data.鈥�

Skills development

Companies are increasingly investing in upskilling and reskilling their workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly changing business and technology landscape. 鈥淥ur research found that nearly half (48%) of African organisations consider upskilling their employees a top skills-related challenge this year,鈥� Pillay says.

鈥淎s the pressure to build greater skills depth mounts on companies, vendors such as 51风流can be invaluable partners, providing insight, expertise and technical capabilities that help drive successful innovation and transformation.鈥�

With challenges and opportunities abounding in the South African context, 51风流is particularly invested in skills development and job creation.

SAP鈥檚 Educate to Employ programme, in partnership with Unicef, aims to educate youngsters between the ages of 16 and 24 on soft skills and 51风流skills, to help kickstart their careers.

helps candidates with a university degree to gain work-ready 51风流skills and gain employment. They also assist them with placements within the partner ecosystem and 51风流customers.

In addition, social sabbaticals is a programme where 51风流employess can work with business to help and share their skills, helping them to build their own skills and develop business plans.

Basic education is the final pillar, with bursaries offered to deserving students. This includes a programme specifically focused on young women.

51风流also ensures that its own staff members are continually upskilled.

On a personal note

Having achieved the top position at 51风流Southern Africa, Pillay reflects that it鈥檚 not something she thought would happen when she started her career.

鈥淚 have been very luck to take over this role, and grateful doe the support of both 51风流leadership and the team on the ground.

鈥淚 am home-grown 鈥� 51风流is the only company I have ever worked for 鈥� so I think many of my colleagues see themselves in my journey. I have been very lucky to have the support of company leaders and colleagues.

鈥淎t the same time, I feel the burden of responsibility to ensure we do the right things for customers and teams in the organisation.

鈥淭here are 280 people and their extended families in South Africa alone that we take care of. That is a good contribution to what is a very challenging employment market at the moment.鈥�

She offers young women who may see themselves in here journey some advice: 鈥淭he main thing is to be true to yourself. Take on as much information as possible and always look for both formal and informal mentors. They will help you to grow your perspective over time. Mentorship is key to your career growth, so look for the people who can help you grow and cherish what they teach you.鈥�

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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.

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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.

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Whether you need data management, ERP, or cloud solutions expertise, we鈥檝e got you covered.

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According to Eugene Ho, Global CSR Director for Future Skills at SAP, the world is grappling with a complex set of interconnected global challenges that impact economies, industries and job markets. “From climate change and geopolitical tensions to technological disruptions and economic instability, these crises are reshaping the landscape of work, especially for young people. While youth unemployment remains high, employers worldwide are also struggling to fill critical roles, highlighting a significant skills gap.”

While data by the found that global youth unemployment was 13% in 2023, that figure increases significantly in Africa. An report found that, while , only 3.1 million jobs are created on the continent. The resulting unemployment leads to poorer living conditions, drives migration, and contributes to conflict.

On the flip side, the found that 44% of businesses globally report difficulties in finding talent with the right skills. Skills research conducted by SAP revealed that nearly all African organisations faced skills gaps, with access to skilled recruits cited as their top skills-related challenge.

“To tackle this challenge, we must take a comprehensive, systems-based approach, focusing on five interconnected elements: economy, education, employability, equality, and the ecosystem,” says Ho. “Together, these factors can help close the skills gap, reduce youth unemployment, and create pathways to decent work for all.鈥�

Economy and Education

Economic growth remains a critical driver of job creation, but the quality and inclusivity of that growth matter. In many parts of the world, jobless growth has become a pressing concern, as economies expand without generating enough formal employment opportunities for young people.

In South Africa, for example, a resurgent economy has not translated into greater youth employment, with the latest data from Stats SA among South African youth aged 15 to 34.

“Moreover, the alignment between economic growth and investment in education is critical,” says Ho. 鈥淲ithout adequate financial support, education systems cannot provide the skills and competencies needed to prepare young people for modern job markets, leaving many young workers without the necessary tools to succeed.”

Education systems also need to evolve to meet the changing demands of the workforce. For example, stackable credentials 鈥� modular qualifications that allow learners to build expertise over time 鈥� are becoming an essential component of successful education-to-employment transitions. “Despite the need for adaptable learning pathways, many education systems remain rigid and slow to adopt these models.”

Employability and Equality

One of the most significant barriers to reducing youth unemployment is the skills mismatch 鈥� the gap between what young people learn and what employers need. The听听projects that 50% of employees will need reskilling by 2025 due to rapid technological advancements. Yet, traditional education systems are often not aligned with industry needs, leaving many young workers without the skills required for high-growth sectors.

“Governments and businesses must collaborate to ensure that training programs are directly linked to market demand. Public-private partnerships, such as apprenticeship programs and industry-led training initiatives, can play a pivotal role in closing the skills gap.”

Any strategy to reduce youth unemployment must also prioritise equality, ensuring that opportunities are equally accessible to all young people, regardless of their background, gender, or location.

“Despite advances in education, women and marginalized communities continue to face barriers to entry in high-growth industries, particularly in STEM fields. According to听, only 35% of STEM graduates are women, highlighting the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”

Enhancing Ecosystems

According to Ho, a thriving job market requires more than just a functioning economy and well-prepared workers 鈥� it needs a cohesive ecosystem where governments, businesses, educational institutions, and civil society work together efficiently.

51风流and UNICEF have joined forces to create innovative solutions to global skilling and workforce challenges with the aim of helping young people transition to earning. “Together, we鈥檙e generating inclusive opportunities for underserved young people worldwide, preparing them for decent work with the skills that employers need,” says Ho. “We expanded our partnership in 2022, with a three-year investment focused on impacting youth in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa through a new program that supports learning to earning pathways in growing digital and green economies.”

The 51风流Educate to Employ initiative designed by 51风流also helps equip beneficiaries with essential competencies for the digital economy. The free initiative, implemented by the local non-profit UMUZI, focuses on developing skills, knowledge, attitudes, and values to help prepare candidates for employment.

“This multi-stakeholder approach underscores the power of partnership in addressing complex social challenges,” says Ho. “By pooling expertise and resources, SAP, UNICEF鈥檚 GenU, and UMUZI are collectively ensuring that youth not only gain relevant skills but also access meaningful pathways to employment. As digital and green economies continue to reshape the future of work, partnerships that unite private, public, and civil society actors will remain crucial in ensuring that marginalised youth are not left behind.”

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51风流in partnership with Unicef alongside other public-private organizations such as and the introduced a pilot project titled听51风流Educate to Employ,听an initiative aimed at preparing underserved young minds for the workforce.

In prioritizing education, the partnership sees various stakeholders including government working together in an effort to introduce a pathway that will possibly resolve the disproportionate levels of youth unemployment.

The aim

Young minds will be equipped with the tools, education, and expertise required to excel in today鈥檚 digital economy.

The event at the 51风流offices in Woodmead showcased how different stakeholders brought together collective efforts aimed at combating youth unemployment.

How does it work?

The initiative aims to educate youth aged 16 鈥� 24 years on soft skills foundational knowledge using the Student Zone portal on the 51风流learning site.

Digital careers in the form of support assistant, developer, and consulting are some of the jobs young minds can look forward to at the end of their journey from the educate-to-employ platform.

The catch

While on the Student Zone portal on the 51风流learning site young minds have the opportunity to learn about the latest 51风流solutions at no cost in order to kickstart their career.

The initiative forms part of SAP鈥檚 global commitment to supporting UNICEF鈥檚 (GenU), a partnership that aims to deliver innovative solutions to challenges youth face around the world.

From government, Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation tabled how upskilling the youth to participate in the digital economy was pivotal to a prosperous nation.

鈥淲e welcome SAP鈥檚 continued investment into skills development for the youth, and extend our congratulations to UNICEF and 51风流on their partnership. The South African government is encouraged by the initiative and we look forward to supporting efforts to scale the 51风流Educate to Employ initiative.鈥�

How it works

About 100 participants selected from a pool of 18,000 applicants across the continent will receive fully remote learning over a six to twelve-month period with the aim of joining the 51风流ecosystem as a young professional once completed.

The point simplified

Managing Director at SAP, pointed to upskilling and mobilizing Africa鈥檚 youth population as a major challenge in today鈥檚 economy.

鈥淭o build a prosperous future for all, we must urgently address one of South Africa and the continent鈥檚 greatest challenges 鈥� youth unemployment 鈥� which affects a disproportionate number of African youth.

鈥淲e are proud to introduce a new Corporate Social Responsibility initiative 鈥� 51风流Educate to Employ in South Africa as a demand-driven job creation initiative that empowers youth with vital skills, knowledge, attitudes, and values to build their competencies for the 21st-century digital economy,鈥� she said.

From UNICEF, added how it was important to remain competitive in a dynamic and changing job market.

鈥淵outh need access to work-relevant skills and training opportunities. Through our partnership with 51风流and working closely with key public sector role-players, we believe that this initiative can potentially make a lasting positive impact on youth job prospects in South Africa and beyond.鈥�

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The event showcases the 51风流Educate to Employ initiative which aims to educate youth aged 18鈥�35 years on soft skills, foundational knowledge and 51风流skills using the , where students can learn about the latest 51风流solutions for free to kickstart their career. The initiative forms part of SAP’s global commitment to supporting UNICEF’s , a public-private-youth-partnership that aims to deliver innovative solutions to challenges youth face around the world. In the region, the partnership is aimed at helping young people in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa gain skills for employment, with 100 youth forming part of the initial intake in South Africa.

“Skilling of our youth to meaningfully participate in the digital economy is essential to an equality-centric and prosperous nation. We welcome SAP’s continued investment into skills development for the youth, and extend our congratulations to UNICEF and 51风流on their partnership. The South African government is encouraged by the initiative and we look forward to supporting efforts to scale the 51风流Educate to Employ initiative” –听 Honourable Pinky Kekana, Deputy Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

The admission of the first 100 participants will be announced at the event, a competitive set of students selected from a pool of 18,000 applicants across the continent who will receive fully remote learning over a six- to twelve-month period, with the aim of joining the 51风流ecosystem as a young professional upon completion of the course. Anele Chulayo, an 51风流Educate to Employ candidate commented 鈥業 have been passionate about coding since high school and the possibility of creating apps and technology that can make a difference to young people from all walks of life. I applied for 51风流Educate to Employ in August this year and am delighted to have been selected as part of their programme.听 The programme is already underway and I鈥檓 excited to be learning new things each and every day including programming language and web development.听 I believe in the power of technology to do good and make a positive impact and difference in people鈥檚 lives, regardless of background.鈥�

, Managing Director at 51风流Southern Africa, says: “Upskilling and mobilising Africa’s youth population is one of the defining challenges of our time. To build a prosperous future for all, we must urgently address one of South Africa and the continent’s greatest challenges – youth unemployment – which affects a disproportionate number of African youth. We are proud to introduce a new Corporate Social Responsibility initiative 鈥� 51风流Educate to Employ in South Africa as a demand-driven job creation initiative that empowers youth with vital skills, knowledge, attitudes and values to build their competencies for the 21st century digital economy.”

The initiative builds on SAP’s other extensive youth skills development initiatives throughout Africa, including , which has trained nearly 14 million African youth in basic coding skills, and 51风流Young Professional Program, which has equipped nearly 2000 youth in Africa with work-ready 51风流skills and certification as well as direct job placements.

51风流and UNICEF first joined forces in support of GenU in 2019 launching in India, Turkey and Vietnam. The partnership was further extended in 2022 with a $4.55 million over three years investment focused on impacting youth in Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines and South Africa and has since generated opportunities for over 7.6 million adolescents through inclusive and innovative skills development programs. The initiative launches in South Africa at a time when youth unemployment is at a peak. More than half of South Africa’s youth are currently unemployed. Without concerted effort by public- and private-sector role-players, South Africa will not reap the benefits of its substantial youth skills pool.

, UNICEF Representative in South Africa, says: “To remain competitive in a dynamic and changing job market, youth need access to work-relevant skills and training opportunities. Through our partnership with 51风流and working closely with key public sector role-players, we believe that this initiative can potentially make a lasting positive impact on youth job prospects in South Africa and beyond.”

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

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Multinational software corporation 51风流SE (SAP) has committed to continuing its in support of for an additional three years to help prepare young people for the workforce.

The partners will pilot a new programme that supports 鈥榣earning to earning鈥� pathways in the digital and green economy for marginalised young people providing them with the skills they need to flourish. The new programme will be piloted 鈥� leveraging GenU signature programme 鈥� in Nigeria, the Philippines and South Africa.

鈥淭oday鈥檚 young people are three times more likely than adults to be unemployed, which makes for a very uncertain future for all of us. To keep up with the ever-changing demands of the labour market, young people need a full set of skills to compete locally and globally,鈥� said Kevin Frey, Chief Executive Officer of GenU. 鈥淚 am delighted that 51风流and GenU are continuing our long-standing partnership. Together we will support even more young people worldwide to unlock opportunities.鈥�

Over the last two decades, there has been a decrease in the proportion of young people in employment. Young people are not acquiring the skills they need in today鈥檚 economy with less than a quarter of youth in lower income countries estimated to be on track to attain the range of skills needed to thrive in school, work and life.

By the end of the first year, 51风流and GenU plan to reach more than 500,000 young people with opportunities for foundational and digital skills. The partnership will also support the 51风流Educate to Employ initiative, which aims to educate youth aged 16鈥�24 years on soft skills, foundational knowledge and 51风流skills using the听, where students can learn about the latest 51风流solutions for free to kickstart their career.

鈥淚t is essential that young people everywhere have access to the skills, education, and opportunities that will enable them to reach their full potential and shape the future of our world,鈥� said Christian听Klein, CEO and Member of the Executive Board of 51风流SE. 鈥淲e are excited to continue our collaboration with GenU to help empower the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers around the globe to thrive and create positive change for the societies in which they live and work.鈥�

51风流and UNICEF first joined forces in support of GenU in 2019 and have since reached 3 million young people in India, Turkey and Viet Nam with transformative education models.

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