Can digital skills help reduce high rates of youth unemployment?

A year into South Africa’s national government of unity (GNU), the country’s young people remain trapped at the precipice of despair.

The promise of job opportunities and pathways for entrepreneurship continues to diminish, especially in a world increasingly led by a youthful population whose inventive thinking often conflicts with the traditional methods of those in power.

This disconnection is not merely an abstract idea; it is a tangible reality for millions, showing as a deep sense of exclusion and a suppression of potential.

 The grim reality of South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis is stark and well-documented. Statistics SA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of this year paints a sobering picture: young people aged 15-24 face a staggering unemployment rate of 62.4%, while those aged 25-34 contend with 40.4%. These are not just numbers; they represent a generation sidelined, their energy and creativity unharnessed.

 With 20 million South Africans aged between 15 and 34, this demographic forms the largest segment of our population.

This demographic dividend, a potential driver of economic growth and social progress, is instead becoming a source of national concern. This alarming reality requires urgent and decisive action, moving beyond mere discussion to implement tangible and impactful measures across all sectors of society.

 Our collective response must begin at home, extend through our communities, reshape our educational institutions, and energise our civil, public, and private sectors. The goal should be to nurture an active, future-oriented population, equipped to become tomorrow’s leaders and innovators. Importantly, this quest for solutions must fully harness the transformative potential of technology.

 The rapid rise of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), for example, should not be viewed with concern but as a significant opportunity. It prompts us to reconsider how we can utilise this technology to empower young people, unlock entrepreneurial talent, and boost economic development. It is time to move past the negativity rooted in a failure to recognise opportunities and instead embrace the immense potential within this digital frontier.

 The Vaal University of Technology (VUT), strategically located in one of Gauteng’s most influential industrial regions, has long recognised this necessity. Our commitment goes beyond traditional academic teaching to proactive engagement with the digital future. Through initiatives like our Strategy 2033+, we focus on attracting and nurturing students with exceptional talent and potential, equipping them with the digital skills essential for a rapidly changing job market.

 Our recent community service project, where our Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences assisted Suncrest High School’s 2025 Grade 12 students with online applications, showcases our commitment to closing the digital gap and promoting a culture of access and opportunity from the grassroots.

 The Gauteng government’s commendable focus on the township economy has achieved significant progress in supporting existing businesses. Nonetheless, our efforts must also shift towards empowering young people in these communities who aspire to start their ventures, developing solutions and products tailored to local needs.

This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, particularly financial institutions. They must explore innovative, concessional financing models that recognise the unique challenges and vast potential of youth-led township enterprises. We cannot continue to champion the township economy while failing to equip its most dynamic segment – our youth – with the necessary skills and financial lifelines.

This year’s UNESCO theme, “Youth empowerment through AI and digital skills,” resonates profoundly with South Africa's challenges and aspirations. As a global community, we are collectively seeking solutions that improve young people’s skills for both employment and entrepreneurship.

UNESCO and other UN agencies have consistently supported the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To truly accomplish these goals, we must put our solutions at the centre of the ingenuity and motivation of our young people, recognising them not merely as beneficiaries but as co-creators of our future.

 Furthermore, the latest World Economic Forum’s World of Work report underscores that “technological change, geoeconomic fragmentation, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts and the green transition – individually and in combination – are among the major drivers expected to shape and transform the global labour market by 2030.”

 While these are global forces, South Africa has a unique opportunity to lead in adapting and innovating. We can and must surpass the mediocre leadership that has often characterised our response to the challenges faced by our young people. This moment calls for visionary, agile, and collaborative leadership that recognises the urgency of digital transformation.

 At VUT, our concern about the high rate of youth unemployment runs deep. However, concern alone is not enough. We are committed to rolling up our sleeves and taking action that goes beyond mere talk. This commitment is reflected in concrete steps that clearly show our determination to make a difference.

Skills development, especially in digital and AI skills, provides a strong pathway to solutions. Learning institutions are no longer static brick-and-mortar places; they are active partners in national growth, evolving to effectively address today’s complex challenges and to produce graduates capable of leading in the digital era.

This demands closer collaboration between academia, industry, and government to jointly create curricula, support innovation hubs, and enable smooth transitions from education to employment or entrepreneurship.

 The path ahead will be challenging. It demands courage, ingenuity, and most importantly, readiness to listen to young people's voices.

They are not just the recipients of change; they must be its architects. If we are truly committed to building a future that works for everyone, we must invest in the blueprints that centre on youth, giving them the tools, networks, and confidence to shape their futures. The time for action is now.

Professor Ndlovu is the Vice Chancellor of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT)