Seen Here: Witbank ITC learners were excited to kick start their one year programme to gain valuable digital skills thanks to Engen Photo Credit: Supplied
JOHANNESBURG – Engen has welcomed 50 young people into its 2026 Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Learnership Programme, strengthening efforts to address youth unemployment by equipping participants with digital skills, practical workplace experience and pathways into employment and entrepreneurship.
The one-year programme, which commenced on 1 October 2026, is being delivered in partnership with Dlama SS Investment Holdings and aims to prepare unemployed young people for opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven economy, where digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the world of work.
The latest intake comprises 20 learners based in South Durban, 15 in uMthatha and East London, and a further 15 in Witbank, Mpumalanga.
With specialised training in areas such as cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT), the programme seeks to bridge the gap between education and the technical competencies required by employers in the evolving digital economy.
Beyond technical training, the initiative focuses on creating sustainable pathways for young people to enter the labour market, pursue further education or establish technology-based businesses.
Developing skills for the digital economy
The growing adoption of digital technologies across industries has increased the importance of relevant ICT skills, particularly as businesses seek to strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities, connect devices and systems, and improve operational efficiency.
For young South Africans facing barriers to employment, access to specialised training and meaningful workplace exposure can provide an important foundation for entering these emerging fields.
Engen’s ICT Learnership Programme forms part of the Engen Global Citizen Development Programme (EGCDP), launched in 2023 to empower young people through industry-relevant skills development and improve their prospects for economic participation.
Olwethu Mdabula, Engen CSI Manager, said the initiative was designed to equip learners with the skills, confidence and workplace exposure needed to pursue careers in the ICT sector.
“Through the EGCDP, we aim to equip young people with the skills, confidence and workplace exposure needed to pursue meaningful careers in the ICT sector,” said Mdabula.
Mdabula said the broader objective was to contribute towards addressing unemployment by opening pathways not only into employment, but also into entrepreneurship and further education.
By supporting young people in developing sustainable livelihoods, the programme seeks to encourage greater economic participation and contribute to stronger, self-sustaining communities.
Seen Here: 20 learners from South Durban were excited to begin their ICT Learnership Programme through Engen’s Global Citizen Development Programme. Photo Credit: Supplied
Combining classroom learning with practical experience
The one-year learnership combines three months of classroom-based instruction with nine months of practical workplace training, giving participants an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real-world working environments.
The blended learning model incorporates digital learning, practical skills development and workplace exposure. Learners are also introduced to the digital platforms and support systems that will guide them throughout the programme.
Andiswa Mkhize, Engen Talent and Development Manager, said equipping young people with relevant technical skills and practical experience was increasingly important as technology transformed business operations.
“Technology is transforming the way businesses operate and creating new opportunities across industries. It is therefore important that young people are equipped with relevant digital skills and practical experience that can help them navigate the changing world of work,” said Mkhize.
She said the programme would enable participants to strengthen their technical capabilities while developing the workplace competencies and experience needed to enter the job market.
The emphasis on practical training is particularly significant in ICT, where the ability to apply technical knowledge, solve problems and work with industry-standard systems can influence a candidate’s readiness for employment.
By connecting structured learning with workplace experience, Engen aims to help participants move beyond theoretical knowledge towards practical competence.
Industry partnership strengthens learner support
The partnership between Engen and Dlama SS Investment Holdings provides the programme with a collaborative approach to training, learner support and workplace preparation.
Thando Husha, Communication and Projects Executive at Dlama SS Investment Holdings, said the partnership was intended to create an environment in which participants could develop their potential through structured learning, practical application and continuous support.
“Our role is to provide the structure, support and learning environment that enables participants to make the most of this opportunity,” said Husha.
Husha said the programme sought to ensure learners not only worked towards achieving their qualifications but also developed the resilience, professional readiness and mindset required to pursue sustainable careers in the ICT sector.
The collaboration reflects the importance of partnerships between businesses and training providers in connecting skills development with labour-market needs.
Such partnerships can help learners gain exposure to professional environments, build industry networks and better understand the expectations associated with entering the workplace.
Seen Here: 15 learners from uMthatha were excited to begin their ICT Learnership Programme through Engen’s Global Citizen Development Programme. Photo Credit: Supplied
Previous cohorts demonstrate progress
The 2026 intake builds on the outcomes of earlier programme participants, highlighting the potential of work-integrated learning to support young people’s transition into employment and further education.
In March 2026, Engen celebrated the graduation of 20 young people from the South Durban Basin who had completed nationally recognised qualifications in IT Technical Support at NQF Level 4 and IT Systems Development at NQF Level 5.
Programme outcomes indicate that 30% of graduates from the initial cohort secured permanent employment opportunities, with 22% retained in permanent employment. A further 37% progressed to further studies, while 7% established small technology enterprises.
Another 33% remained in an active employment placement pipeline, supported by continued engagement with employers across the ICT sector.
These figures point to several potential routes through which technical training can support economic participation, including formal employment, entrepreneurship and further academic development.
However, the outcomes also underline the importance of sustained employer engagement and post-training support to help more graduates convert their qualifications into lasting economic opportunities.
The programme’s work-integrated learning model places particular emphasis on practical experience, with approximately 70% of training taking place through workplace exposure. Industry partners provide opportunities for learners to apply their knowledge in real ICT environments and develop professional connections that may support their entry into the job market.
Following its initial pilot in Durban, the programme expanded across KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo during the 2025/2026 cycle, enrolling 31 learners. During that period, 25% of learners were identified as potential candidates for full-time employment by their workplace training hosts.
Building pathways to employment and entrepreneurship
South Africa’s youth unemployment challenge requires interventions that go beyond training enrolments and focus on the transition from education into sustainable livelihoods.
Initiatives that combine technical qualifications, practical workplace exposure and links with employers can help address some of the barriers faced by young people entering the labour market.
At the same time, the development of entrepreneurial capabilities can create alternative opportunities for participants to establish businesses, provide technology services and potentially generate employment for others.
Engen’s programme seeks to support both pathways by equipping learners with specialised ICT skills while encouraging further education and enterprise development.
Its focus on cybersecurity and the Internet of Things also positions participants to explore areas of technology with applications across multiple industries, although employment outcomes will ultimately depend on the availability of opportunities, individual performance and continued development of relevant skills.
The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, which promote access to learning and inclusive economic participation.
As the 50 learners begin their year-long journey, the programme represents another effort to connect skills development with the practical demands of the digital economy.
For the participants, the opportunity offers a foundation on which to build technical expertise, gain workplace experience and pursue future careers. For the wider economy, such initiatives underscore the importance of investing in young people’s capabilities as South Africa prepares for an increasingly digital future.
Engen has wished the 2026 cohort success as they embark on their training and take the next step towards employment, entrepreneurship and further education.
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