Future of Jobs Summit aims to tackle youth unemployment in South Africa
Organised by a coalition of technology leaders, including SAP, Adcorp, DP World, Workday, and FNB, the summit seeks to unite the country's most influential minds in both the public and private sectors.
Future of Jobs Summit founder, Nik Eberl, emphasises that this initiative transcends mere discussion.
'It is not another policy talk shop; it is a high-impact platform for action and alignment,' he states, underscoring the urgency of collective efforts to tackle the pressing issue of youth unemployment.
Eberl believes that 'youth unemployment is the greatest threat to our democracy and the greatest opportunity to unlock national prosperity.'
Central to the summit's agenda is the unveiling of innovative strategies and programs designed to attract, develop, and retain top talent.
SAP will take the spotlight with its acclaimed Educate to Employ and Young Professionals Programmes, aimed at equipping thousands of African youths with vital digital skills and pathways to meaningful careers.
'These initiatives are helping to create an inclusive talent pipeline that fuels both local innovation and international competitiveness,' Eberl explains.
The summit is an official event under the T20 framework, the Think Tank of South Africa's G20 Presidency, reinforcing its alignment with the global agenda for inclusive growth, skills development, and job creation for the youth.
With the outcomes report set to be presented to key stakeholders, including the Office of the Presidency and Parliament of South Africa, the summit aims to foster robust public-private partnerships.
Further addressing the overarching theme of inclusivity, the initiative will spotlight South Africa's thriving Global Business Services (GBS) sector.
This sector is lauded as a success story in job creation, having already generated over 150,000 youth jobs and targeting an impressive 500 000 jobs by 2030 with strong support from government and global investors.
'GBS illustrates the potential that thrives when government, business, and skills providers align around a shared goal.
We must now apply that same formula across high-growth sectors from tech and tourism to renewable energy and the care economy,' Eberl urges.
As the summit approaches, anticipation builds around its potential to create scalable solutions and partnerships that can turn the tide on South Africa's high unemployment rate.
With a firm focus on youth employment and digital skills development, the Future of Jobs Summit stands as a beacon of hope in the ongoing effort to build a more resilient and inclusive workforce. Scheduled for May 23, 2025, the summit is set to bring together leaders from government, business, and civil society to address South Africa's unemployment crisis with actionable strategies and innovative partnerships.
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