In an interview on Jozi FM’s The Afternoon Fix, hosted by Refiloe Motsei and Vee Mthembu, our CEO, Evan Jones, discussed the critical issue of digital skills shortage in South Africa. With over 40,000 digital jobs currently available, primarily for young people, many of these positions remain unfilled due to the high cost of education and the slow pace of tech training. This gap has resulted in a digital skills crisis, which also presents a significant opportunity given the high unemployment rates in the country.
The Collective X, a not-for-profit organisation, was established to address this crisis by coordinating a national plan through public-private partnerships. Their primary mission is to scale digital skills training across South Africa, thereby helping young people secure these available jobs. The organisation collaborates with various training institutions to enhance the talent pipeline rather than directly providing training themselves.
Jones elaborated on the broad scope of “digital skills,” encompassing various job opportunities from basic IT support to advanced roles in software development and data analytics. Research has identified the top 20 in-demand digital jobs, which include software development, data analytics, and cloud support. By focusing on these areas, The Collective X aims to address the skills gap effectively.
The impact of bridging this digital skills gap on youth unemployment was also highlighted. Digital jobs not only offer higher salaries but also significant economic benefits. The Collective X’s strategic goal is to place 500,000 young people in digital roles, potentially generating over 6 billion rand in economic value.
Jones also discussed the upcoming “Unlocking the Power of Digital Skills” conference, which aims to bring together senior leaders from government, educational institutions, and funding organisations to formulate a national plan for digital skills. The event has garnered significant interest, reflecting the urgency of addressing this issue.
In conclusion, Evan emphasised the need for collaboration and strategic planning to bridge the digital skills gap and help South Africa’s youth succeed in the digital age.
Listen to the full interview below.