ALX Strengthens PYEI’s Mission to Tackle Youth Unemployment Through Tech Training

Mar 5

While the government celebrates the creation of 53,379 new earning opportunities in the latest Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) Q3 Report, South Africa’s youth continue to face a major crisis. Only 3% of tertiary applicants secured places this year, leaving 97% locked out of higher education and limiting their career prospects.

With youth unemployment at 45%, significantly higher than the national average, access to alternative career pathways is more critical than ever. ALX South Africa, a leading tech-career accelerator, is stepping up to bridge this gap by equipping young people with in-demand digital skills in high-growth fields such as software engineering, data science, and artificial intelligence.

Bridging the Gap Between Talent and Opportunity

“The PYEI’s success in driving employment through initiatives like the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund demonstrates the power of innovative approaches,” says Divesh Sooka, General Manager of ALX South Africa. “But the reality is that our youth face a massive education bottleneck. Without urgent solutions, the skills gap will only widen.”

Sooka emphasises that ALX is not just about training students but about building futures. “Our approach complements the PYEI strategy by focusing on demand-driven training and sustainable employment pathways, ensuring young people develop both technical and soft skills that are crucial for the modern workplace.”

A Crisis Beyond Employment: The Education Barrier

While the PYEI reports 1.57 million opportunities created since its inception, the lack of access to higher education remains a major obstacle. This year, 97% of young South Africans who applied to universities were turned away due to capacity constraints. This systemic exclusion creates a devastating barrier between talented youth and their futures, regardless of their ambition or potential.

“While government initiatives are making strides in job creation, we cannot ignore the education emergency we’re facing,” says Sooka. “With only 3% of applicants securing university places, young people need alternative routes to build sustainable careers. ALX’s digital training programmes provide a viable solution, offering accessible, industry-relevant learning that leads directly to employment opportunities.”

Breaking Barriers, Creating Opportunities

The Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund has already placed 1,603 young people into jobs, with 1,247 sustaining employment for at least three months. Similarly, through its partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, ALX ensures affordable access to future-fit online courses for just $5 (under R100), making world-class education accessible to more South Africans.

“The PYEI’s latest results show what’s possible when we collaborate,” Sooka concludes. “To truly unlock the potential of South Africa’s youth, we must go beyond job creation and tackle the systemic barriers keeping young people from meaningful opportunities.”

About ALX

ALX is a leading provider of tech training and career acceleration services. Committed to addressing the global shortage of tech talent, ALX equips the techno-fluent leaders of tomorrow with the skills and tools they need today. Serving young leaders across Africa and beyond, ALX empowers them to build impactful careers in high-growth industries.