Reskilling Revolution Africa to build real pathways into work for women and youth
5 min read
Womandla Foundation, in partnership with the International Association of Volunteer Effort (IAVE) and IBM SkillsBuild, has launched Reskilling Revolution Africa Phase 2 in South Africa: a flagship initiative designed to move women and youth beyond skills training into real economic opportunity.
Founded by IAVE in 2023, the programme brings together volunteer mobilisation, technology enablement and community-driven impact to build practical pathways into work across South Africa.
South Africa’s unemployment crisis remains one of the most urgent challenges facing the country, with more than 8 million people actively seeking work. While skills development remains critical, training alone does not translate into employment without intentional pathways to opportunity.
“Empowerment does not begin with a better CV – it begins with access to work,” says Sam Gqomo, founder of Womandla Foundation. “We cannot tips-and-tricks our way out of an economy that is not creating enough jobs. The Reskilling Revolution Africa is about building bridges between learning and real economic participation.”
Reskilling Revolution Africa is designed as a fully integrated programme ecosystem, combining digital learning, skills development, mentorship, exposure and progression pathways that prepare participants to pivot, adapt and create value while waiting for or actively building opportunity. At its core, the programme recognises that volunteering provides the evolving set of skills and real-world experience South African youth need to succeed in the 21st-century workforce: building adaptability, leadership, collaboration, problem-solving and practical exposure that translate directly into economic participation.
The programme aims to engage young South African learners through strategic digital outreach and localised engagement efforts. Learners access free, tailored pathways aligned to their respective national job markets, including advanced technology courses in artificial intelligence through IBM SkillsBuild.
These learning opportunities support three high-potential pathways:
- STEAM Education – building education pipelines, digital literacy, facilitation and edtech exposure.
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation – enterprise readiness, incubation, freelancing and supplier development pathways.
- Creative Industries – digital media, content creation, design and creative entrepreneurship.
Together, they combine globally recognised coursework with strong local implementation partnerships and mentoring. Participants earn verified digital credentials that strengthen their competitiveness in the job market.
Through strategic implementation partnerships, beneficiaries become part of talent pipelines that feed into partner programmes, projects, internships, supplier development initiatives and workforce needs – creating mutual value for both communities and partners.
“At IBM, we believe that access to technology skills is a catalyst for inclusive economic growth,” says John Matogo, corporate social responsibility leader for IBM Middle East and Africa. “Our collaboration with Womandla Foundation and IAVE reflects our commitment to ensuring women and young people across South Africa are not only learning the skills of the future, but they are meaningfully connected to opportunities to apply those skills.
“Through IBM SkillsBuild, we are helping equip a new generation with the competencies, confidence and credentials they need to fully participate in – and shape – the digital economy.”
IBM provides technology enablement through its digital learning platform, IBM SkillsBuild, along with volunteer expertise to support scalable skills development. IAVE complements this by contributing global volunteer mobilisation capacity and impact networks that strengthen mentorship, broaden exposure and enhance overall programme delivery.
“This collaboration demonstrates what becomes possible when technology, volunteering and purpose-driven partnerships align,” says Samuel Turay, Africa senior programme manager from IAVE. “Together, we are creating practical pathways that empower people to participate meaningfully in the economy.”
The launch event will convene corporate leaders, funders, development partners, policymakers and ecosystem stakeholders to explore how socio-economic development and corporate social investment can move beyond compliance into scalable, measurable impact – building real pipelines into work and economic participation.
Womandla Foundation invites organisations to partner, co-design pathways and invest in building sustainable solutions that move people from skills to opportunity, income and dignity.
