City Power, in collaboration with Unisa Enterprise, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of South Africa, Afric Training College, the Department of Labour’s Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) unit, and African Bank, recently launched an ambitious youth empowerment initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment through hands-on skills training and enterprise development. The official media launch was held on 6 August 2025 at City Power’s Head Office in Reuven and was followed by a formal beneficiary induction on Friday 8 August 2025.

This multi-stakeholder partnership aims to empower 1 200 unemployed young people through targeted skills in both electrical training and youth enterprise development programmes. Four hundred participants will receive training in electrical engineering, and 800 will be enrolled in a structured incubation programme focused on new venture creation. The overall goal is to drive job creation and build sustainable, youth-led businesses within the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Speaking on the strategic role of this collaboration, City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava said: "This partnership is important, and the biggest role for City Power is to develop the youth. We can only do this with our partners, as it takes a village to raise a child. We have a responsibility to do our part in dealing with unemployment. Some of our youth have been left behind due to the high levels of unemployment. This programme aims to bridge that gap, creating opportunities for those who may not have had the chance to go to university and upskilling graduates who have qualifications but lack workplace experience or placement opportunities."

City Power is embarking on a new journey filled with abundant opportunities and is actively participating in the just energy transition. Currently, City Power is constructing electric vehicle charging stations at its head office. There is also the potential to convert its fleet of over 400 vehicles to electric vehicles, an initiative that will create demand for new and specialised skills.

Mashava continued: "These candidates will be well-positioned to participate in this transformation once they graduate from the programme. City Power is growing and expanding into new markets. We want to create a pool of young individuals who are equipped with technical skills and trained in enterprise and supplier development (ESD), enabling them to start their own businesses and eventually create jobs for others. We welcome more partners to come on board. Together, we can build a pool of accredited, skilled, and credible professionals. As City Power continues to grow, so will youth participation and empowerment opportunities."

The practical training will be conducted at City Power’s Roodepoort Skills Training Centre. At the same time, Afric Training College and Unisa Enterprise will facilitate theoretical and enterprise development training at the Unisa Science Campus.

Nyiko Bvuma, Principal of Afric Training College, explained their contribution to the programme. "We are coming in to provide training in electrical and ESD, showing participants how to grow their business ideas and align them with market opportunities. They will be equipped with critical energy infrastructure skills, including electrical engineering, solar panel installation, gas installation, and street lighting. Our mission is to uplift young people and prepare them for the field, while also focusing on their individual needs."

The programme is structured in two parallel streams:

1. Electrical Skills Development: An accredited programme that includes theory and practical components, targeting 400 youth with or without Grade 12.
2. Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD): A three-phase entrepreneurial incubation stream offering formal training in new venture creation, business compliance, financial literacy, tendering processes, and sustainability planning. This arm is designed to help 800 youth start and scale their own businesses, supported by structured mentoring and tender-readiness simulations.

Highlighting the significance of this platform for unemployed youth, Deputy Director for Public Employment Services at the Department of Labour, Vusi Mazibuko, noted that "this platform will help us access the youth and support them in upskilling and assisting in placing them into the workforce. There are many challenges, especially with the high youth unemployment rate, and this initiative, through our partnerships with City Power and others, can truly benefit young people."

The official advertisement inviting eligible students to participate was released in June 2025, with the final approved list of participants concluded in July 2025. The six-month, fully funded training and enterprise development programme targets unemployed youth aged 18 to 35 and includes monthly stipends provided by the Department of Labour.

Upon completion, participants will receive industry-recognised qualifications and, where applicable, be assisted in legally registering as businesses. They will be financially literate, receive at least 12 months of job placement or business development support, and be equipped to contribute meaningfully to the energy sector value chain or pursue entrepreneurial ventures.

Reflecting on the long-term vision and impact of the initiative, Lesetsa Matshekga, CEO of Unisa Enterprise, said: "We are excited to be part of this transformative youth programme, which demonstrates what is possible when public and private institutions work together to address a challenge that affects us all, one that is too complex for any single sector to tackle alone. Unemployment is especially prevalent among the youth, and it is crucial that we unite to play an active role in creating opportunities that prepare them for the workforce. Capacity building and skills development are key focus areas for us. We want to see young people succeed, and we are here to support them, especially through entrepreneurship initiatives. This is not the end, but the beginning of a long-term plan to make a meaningful contribution to our communities and the future of our youth."

The project is scheduled to run from August 2025 to August 2026. Given the number of candidates, it is anticipated that both the electrical training and enterprise and supplier development components will be delivered simultaneously over six months each. As a result, the project is expected to be completed within approximately one year.

This programme goes beyond skills development; it is a strategic economic intervention aimed at tackling youth unemployment head-on through hands-on training, job placement and small business development. It is not a once-off initiative, but a purpose-driven public-private partnership that drives sustainable change, empowering one young South African at a time to contribute meaningfully to the economy.

* Submitted by Zylvah Makola, Media Advisory Unit, Unisa Enterprise