Centennial Schools shares its innovative approach to tackling youth unemployment
Shaun Fuchs, the founder and CEO of Centennial Schools believes that entrepreneurship skills should be nurtured so that learners can create their opportunities instead of relying on the formal sector for jobs.
South Africa’s alarming youth unemployment rate, with 60.2% of 15-24-year-olds not participating in the formal or informal workforce, underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions.
Entrepreneurship has emerged as a vital path to economic security and independence, driving growth in the small, medium, and micro enterprise (SMME) sector.
However, the country’s SMME failure rate remains among the highest globally, according to Shaun Fuchs, the founder and CEO of Centennial Schools in Sunninghill.
He said that was why they decided to integrate entrepreneurship into the school’s curriculum to equip learners with essential skills to combat unemployment after leaving school.
The school’s comprehensive programme covers marketing, financial management, innovation, networking, coding, content creation, and cryptocurrencies. Through partnerships with active entrepreneurs, learners gain practical experience in real-world work environments, tackling challenges and developing solutions. This forward-thinking approach prepares the learners to contribute to and benefit from the economy.
“There is a real need to provide learners with a future-forward education that harnesses technology, encourages lateral thinking, and teaches skills they can take forward with them. Instilling an entrepreneurial mindset and practical skills, helps learners to take charge of their futures, and ultimately, to help build a stronger economy.”
Also read: Centennial teachers tackle school dropouts, one class at a time
Recently, there has been a push for government policies that support entrepreneurship, enhance vocational training, improve access to finance, and encourage private-sector investment – and, while the wheels have slowly started turning, Fuchs said it’s clear that more needed to be done, much faster.
“We need to recognise the importance of re-evaluating the education system and incorporating subjects that address societal challenges while equipping learners with the skills they need to thrive in the future. Starting in 2025, our school will expand to include more grades, providing more learners with exposure to these forward-thinking subjects.”
Fuchs said it was not good to always rely solely on the formal sector for employment. He said he made it their mission as a school to empower learners with entrepreneurial mindsets and skills, enabling them to thrive in an uncertain job market.
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