We Buy Cars and SA Business School drive youth employment through learnership success
4 min read
We Buy Cars, one of South Africa’s leading automotive retail businesses, has once again demonstrated its commitment to tackling youth unemployment through sponsored learnership programmes delivered in partnership with SA Business School.
Eight unemployed learners successfully completed 12-month learnership programmes sponsored by We Buy Cars, with graduation taking place in December 2025 and February 2026. Significantly, seven of the eight learners have already been absorbed into permanent roles within We Buy Cars, marking an important step in launching their careers and creating brighter futures through meaningful employment.
The learnerships completed by the learners included:
- Further Education and Training Certificate: Business Administration Services (NQF Level 4)
- National Certificate: Information Technology: Systems Support
- National Certificate: Generic Management: Strategic Management (NQF Level 5)
Structured to combine theoretical and workplace-based learning, learnerships typically run over 12 to 24 months and equip learners with practical, job-relevant skills linked to specific occupations. These programmes lead to nationally recognised qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework and are overseen by the relevant Sector Education and Training Authority.
South Africa continues to face the paradox of high unemployment alongside persistent skills shortages across many industries. Learnerships play a critical role in bridging this gap by providing industry-aligned training that responds to business needs while giving participants the skills, experience and qualifications needed to enter the workforce.
“Learnerships are essential in breaking the ‘no job, no experience’ cycle that traps many young South Africans,” says Cynthia Banda, head of Learning at SA Business School. “These programmes do not only transform individual lives but also strengthen business talent pipelines and future workforce capabilities.
“In a country like South Africa, where high unemployment co-exists with critical skills shortages, learnerships provide a crucial bridge by delivering industry-aligned training that meets specific business needs while providing participants with nationally recognised qualifications.”
This latest successful learnership sponsorship builds on We Buy Cars’ broader commitment to skills development and inclusive employment. In 2025, the company also sponsored 20 learners with disabilities, who completed a 12-month National Certificate in Wholesale and Retail Distribution (NQF Level 2) while gaining hands-on workplace experience within We Buy Cars operations.
The strong absorption rate achieved in the latest intake highlights the value of learnership programmes, not only as an educational intervention but as a practical pathway into sustainable employment.
“The ultimate goal at the completion of our learnerships remains sustainable, permanent employment,” adds Banda. “To support this, our learners are also equipped with the life skills and soft skills needed to succeed in a business environment and improve their chances of absorption into formal employment.
“Our investment in learnerships is about creating real jobs and meaningful career paths, while making a tangible impact on the economy, on business and on society.”
Learnership programmes remain one of the most effective levers available to corporate South Africa to address youth unemployment while also meeting business objectives and building future-ready talent pipelines.
