The Transformative Impact of Unemployed Learnerships in South Africa: Celebrating the Role of SETAs
In the ongoing pursuit of economic growth and social development, South Africa faces the critical challenge of youth unemployment and skills shortages.
One of the effective responses to this challenge has been the implementation of unemployed learnerships, targeting the youths. These structured learning programmes, championed by Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), are making a tangible difference in the lives of thousands of young South Africans.
Learnerships have assisted unemployed youths with access to permanent employment.
Learnerships are work-based learning programmes that combine theoretical knowledge with practical workplace experience. For unemployed youths, these programmes offer a vital pathway into the world of work, equipping learners with industry-relevant skills and increasing their employability. Participants not only gain valuable qualifications but also develop workplace competencies that are highly sought after by employers.
The impact of these learnerships is profound. Many young people who would otherwise struggle to access meaningful employment are able to build careers, support their families, and contribute to the broader economy. Furthermore, these programmes help bridge the skills gap in key sectors, ensuring that South Africa’s workforce remains competitive and capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.
SETAs are the heartbeat of transformation for unemployed youths.
At the heart of this transformation are the SETAs, such as the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) and Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (Bankseta). These SETAs play a pivotal role in facilitating and funding unemployed learnerships across the financial services sector. SETAs work closely with employers, skills development providers, professional bodies and the government to identify skills needs, develop relevant training programmes, and ensure that learning outcomes are aligned with industry requirements.
The dedication and leadership demonstrated by SETAs has been instrumental in ensuring the success of unemployed learnership initiatives. The SETAs commitment to inclusiveness, quality, and innovation continues to open doors for South Africa’s youth, fostering hope and opportunity where it is needed most.
A success story: Anele Tsewu - a beneficiary of an Unemployed Youths Learnership makes it to the Top Ten of The Insurance Apprentice. (TIA)
A current example of the impact of unemployed learnerships is the success story of Anele Tsewu who made it to the TIA Top 10. The insurance industry and the nation at large got an induction onto the inner workings of insurance industry when TIA aired on SABC 3: 7pm on the 17th of July 2025. One of the Top 10 Finalist is Ms Anele Tsewu an Octomate Education Alumna.
Ms Anele Tsewu’s journey in the insurance sector began in 2015, when she enrolled in an unemployed learnership with Iemas Financial Services in Centurion. The programme was delivered by Octomate Education: a Skills Development Provider.
With Dedication and Perseverance, The Youths of South Africa have Hope.
Ms Anele Tsewu’s career has been interesting and remarkable over the past decade. She has advanced in her career to become an Underwriting and Portfolio Manager at Aon - a renowned insurance company. This proves that with dedication and perseverance, the unemployed youths of South Africa have hope. They require the necessary support from SETAs.
It is fulfilling when skills development practitioners witness the fruits of their efforts in the youths of South Africa.
Commenting on Anele’s achievement on TIA, Ms. Jestine Tingini, Skills Development Manager: Imas Finance, who hired the unemployed youth, Anele in 2015 on a learnership said, “What an amazing professional journey for Anele; from learner to now Underwriting and Portfolio Manager. This is testament to the positive impact of learnerships. I am so glad that I was part of that success story.”
The work that Ms. Rianet Whitehead, her TIA Team and the TIA sponsors are doing in bridging the gap between the public and the insurance profession on national television should be appreciated. TIA is a perfect platform for the youths to showcase their insurance passion, knowledge and skills. Young insurance professionals are tackling risk challenges, and the South African public have the privilege to witness this on television. What an awesome initiative.
Wishing all the 10 TIA Finalist the best in the challenge. Getting it to the Top 10 is already a wonderful achievement.
Standard Bank Insurance Unemployed Learners Immersion Day: A Beacon of Hope and Transformation for the South African Youth
Another example of the positive impact of unemployed learnerships and industry collaborations was felt at the Standard Bank Insurance Unemployed Immersion Day, hosted at Standard Band Constantia Kloof Auditorium on the 18th of July 2025. The immersion day coincided with Mandela Day who is famously remembered for his timeless quote:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela.
A Visionary Initiative
The Immersion Day, the brainchild of Ms. Sheila Mistry: Programme Manager for Standard Bank Insurance Unemployed learnerships was designed to bridge the gap between structured learning and real-world professional integration.
The 65 unemployed learners are enrolled in a Wealth Management Level 5 Unemployed Learnership funded by Inseta. This is a testament to the transformative impact of targeted learnership programmes.
Testimonies from Octomate Education Alumni
The highlight of The Immersion Day was the presence of Octomate Education alumni, whose personal journeys resonated with the current cohort.
Ms. Sindisiwe Masina, an Octomate Education alumna from the Assupol Unemployed Learnership 2019 funded by the Inseta, now a top salesperson at Assupol, shared her inspiring journey from an unemployed learner to an industry leader in Sales. Her story underscored the lucrative opportunities available in the insurance sector for those who persevere.
Ms. Phumla Mtshali, another Octomate Education alumna from the Doves Unemployed Learnership Long Term Insurance Level 4 class of 2017, funded by the Inseta, recounted how the learnership experience facilitated her re-entry into the industry, ultimately leading to her current role as a claims processor at Assupol.
The unemployed learners also engaged with industry professionals through interactive presentations. The learners gained invaluable insights into the skills and attributes required for success in the financial services sector.
Motivation from industry experts to the youths: “Show up and be counted; you have what it takes. “
Mr. Mulligan Mathye, a respected facilitator and veteran financial advisor, cautioned the learners attending the immersion day at Standard Bank against the myth of self-made individuals, reminding learners that growth and achievement are communal efforts-Ubuntu. He encouraged learners to view challenges as opportunities for growth, not as setbacks, reinforcing the importance of resilience and adaptability in their professional journeys. He encouraged the learners to “show up” and “be counted” because they have what it takes to make it in the financial services industry.
Adding further industry expert perspective, Mr. Sikheto Sambo, a seasoned insurance guru and Director at Marara Insurance Brokers, encouraged learners to cultivate loyalty and a positive attitude. His remarks reinforced the significance of professionalism and the acquiring of soft skills. He cited that he does not regret his decision to join the insurance industry more than thirty years ago, yet he had studied to become a chartered accountant. He started his career in corporate insurance and later went on an entrepreneurial journey as a Director of Marara Insurance Brokers: an established and thriving black-owned brokerage with branches in Gauteng and Limpopo Province.
SETAs deserve more recognition for their impact.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Standard Bank Insurance Immersion Day, Mr Abbot Pfukwa, CEO: Octomate Education congratulated the Inseta and Bankseta on their achievements in fulfilling the mandate of facilitating skills development, promoting learnerships, internships, skills programmes, and supporting transformation within the financial services sector. The 65 Standard Bank Insurance unemployed learners are funded through an Inseta unemployed Learnership.
The significance of SETAs deserves more recognition, which is not adequately echoed in the mainstream media. It goes without saying that SETAs’ role in fostering development and skills should be appreciated.
Comment:
SETAs must take stock and use the data generated from the past decades to tell their story. Empirical evidence of the successes of the unemployed learnerships is available and must be gathered. SETAs must use technology and innovation to be able to gather the real success rate of unemployed learnership over a long period. The past decade will be a reasonable period: Abbot Pfukwa.
