Create new connections to opportunity for young people
We need to open new pathways to learning and earning.
There is often a skills mismatch between the work young people look for and the skills that they possess. Both youth development organisations and potential employers can play an important role in getting young people ready for the world of work. We must also be aware of the changing nature of formal work, so we will continue to include the possibilities emerging from the just energy transition. At the same time, the formal employment sector is shrinking, while the informal sector is growing. Support for knowledge capital transfer into informal socio-economic networks to enable young people to become semi-skilled is central to our work.
Our goal is to support demonstrated pathways to further learning and earning opportunities for 1 million young people that are not in employment, education or training.
What we are working on…
- Creating opportunities that improve the prospects of different groups of young people to access the world of work.
- Amplifying initiatives that focus on improving ease of access and engagement with targeted and relevant information for young people.
- Strengthening the impact of public funds spent on youth employment initiatives.
Buffalo City College students in between lectures at the main campus in East London as part of DGMT’s Bumb’INGOMSO project.
Escaping the inequality trap requires a twist in our thinking.
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Flagship projects addressing this opportunity
Civil society projects addressing this opportunity
These projects are by no means a comprehensive list of the work of civil society. This list represents a small selection of organisations that will be updated from time to time
Inspiring creative minds to thrive
An organisation focused on empowering young talent from under-served communities to become creative change-makers. The organisation provides young people with the tools, socio-emotional and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in creative industries. BFM works with both local and international partners to bring music education to communities.
Demand-led digital and green skills for meaningful youth employment
Life Choices Academy prepares young people for high-growth sectors; software development, Salesforce ecosystem roles and solar PV installation all through a demand-driven model that blends industry-aligned training, psychosocial support and structured internships. Their 36-month graduate tracking system provides rare insight into placement and income mobility, strengthening pathways into the ICT and green economy. DGMT supports the Academy to expand demand-led digital and green skills training, deepen placement pipelines, and build long-term evidence on youth transitions into meaningful work.
Strengthening skills, confidence and enterprise for NEET youth
Masifunde supports NEET youth in Nelson Mandela Bay with demand-led skilling, personalised career guidance and strong psychosocial support. Young people access nine-month vocational training in hospitality, sustainable construction, ECD and administration, combined with mentoring and workplace exposure. Through the kasiConomy Hub, youth test and grow micro-business ideas in township shop units, complemented by real work opportunities in Masifunde’s social enterprises; MyMito, Skaftin and V59 Guesthouse. DGMT supports the Out-of-School Youth Centre to strengthen vocational training, expand entrepreneurship pathways, and build employer-linked opportunities that enable young people to secure dignified livelihoods.
Activating skills and confidence for NEET youth
Just Grace supports NEET youth in Langa through the Phakama! Youth Activation Programme, which builds foundations in personal development, job-readiness, digital literacy and psychosocial wellbeing. Young people then progress into practical, demand-led training — from computer skills and sewing to barista training and the accredited Accounting Technician Programme, supported by work experience through Iingcali Accountants and township SMEs. DGMT supports the expansion of these demand-driven pathways to strengthen employability and build a more resilient local opportunity ecosystem in Langa.
Bringing world-class coding pathways to rural youth through TVET integration
WeThinkCode_ is redefining digital skills access by integrating its employer-aligned software development programme into South Africa’s public TVET system. The partnership with South Cape College brings world-class coding training, psychosocial support and structured WIL directly to rural youth, with clear pathways into high-growth digital roles. DGMT supports the Western Cape TVET pilot to test a scalable model for demand-led digital training in public colleges, strengthen throughput and certification, and build evidence for system-wide adoption. As a result of this pilot at South Cape TVET College (Hessequa Campus, Riversdale), the program is extending to 3 more TVET colleges in the garden route.
Practical, market-ready skills for peri-urban youth
Bethlehem Basic Training Project equips young people with practical, market-aligned skills—welding, plumbing, bricklaying, merchandising, beauty and cell phone repairs, through this creating immediate entry points into local labour markets. Short, intensive courses are paired with workplace exposure and a growing livelihood hub that connects youth to paid opportunities. DGMT supports the project to expand demand-responsive vocational offerings and strengthen placement pathways for peri-urban youth seeking income-generation or further learning.
Holistic, accredited training for work-ready youth
Ray Mhlaba Skills Training Centre equips young people in Nelson Mandela Bay with accredited, market-aligned training in hospitality, bakery, beauty, woodwork and home-based care. Technical courses are paired with Vukuzenzele — a structured life-skills, job-readiness and psychosocial support curriculum that builds confidence, discipline, financial literacy and digital competence. This integrated model ensures young people are not only trained in a trade, but prepared to navigate work, manage wellbeing and transition into employment or enterprise. DGMT supports the delivery and strengthening of the Vukuzenzele Life Skills Programme, enabling Ray Mhlaba to deepen holistic development and improve work-readiness and placement outcomes across its vocational streams.
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