The initiative saw eight unemployed participants finish 12 month learnerships, with graduation ceremonies held in December 2025 and February 2026. Of those, seven have already secured permanent roles within the company, offering a clear indication of how structured training can translate into employment.

The programmes covered a range of qualifications aligned to business needs. These included business administration at NQF Level 4, information technology systems support, and strategic management at NQF Level 5. Each course combined classroom learning with practical workplace exposure, giving participants experience that is often difficult to obtain without prior employment.

South Africa continues to face high unemployment, particularly among young people, while many industries report a shortage of relevant skills. Learnerships are designed to address this mismatch. By linking training directly to workplace requirements, they provide a route for individuals to gain both qualifications and experience at the same time.

Cynthia Banda, Head of Learning at SA Business School, says such programmes help break the cycle where job seekers cannot gain employment due to a lack of experience. She notes that beyond technical training, learners are also introduced to workplace expectations and broader life skills, which can improve their chances of long-term employment.

This latest intake forms part of a wider effort by We Buy Cars to expand access to training opportunities. In 2025, the company also supported 20 learners with disabilities through a wholesale and retail distribution qualification at NQF Level 2. Those participants similarly gained workplace exposure during their training.

The high absorption rate in the recent group highlights the practical value of these programmes. Rather than acting only as educational interventions, they can serve as a direct pathway into employment. For businesses, they offer a way to develop talent that is already familiar with company operations and culture.

While learnerships alone cannot resolve the broader employment challenge, they remain one of the more effective tools available to both the private sector and training institutions. By aligning education with real world requirements, they offer a more direct route into the workforce, while also helping companies build a more capable and prepared talent pool, both Institutions concludes.