South Africa’s escalating youth unemployment crisis continues to demand innovative solutions, and the Mr Price Foundation’s JumpStart skills development initiative is stepping up to the challenge with a portfolio of training programmes designed to equip young South Africans with industry-aligned skills and improved employability.

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The Foundation, a registered NPO focused on youth empowerment via skills development, entrepreneurship and education, aims to equip 500 000 youth to become economically resilient by 2035, a signal of its long-term commitment to creating meaningful pathways out of unemployment.

“Unemployment is not just a social issue — it’s a systemic risk to South Africa’s future,” said Octavius Phukubye, executive director of Mr Price Foundation.

“There is a big gap between unemployment and employability, and we are helping to bridge that.”

The JumpStart programme, which offers classes in Durban, targets unemployed South Africans, particularly young people aged between 18 and 33, offering skills training, life-skills development and workplace experience designed to meet industry demand, especially in retail and manufacturing sectors.

Training pathways include the Retail Frontline Programme, Retail Essentials Programme, Professional Retail Programme and the Pattern Making Programme, for which applications are currently open. The rest have closed.

The Pattern Making Programme stands out as a strategic intervention targeting the fashion, textile and manufacturing sectors — industries in urgent need of technically skilled professionals.

This six-month intensive training programme equips participants with technical pattern-making skills, industry software and digital tools training and practical, employer-linked work experience.

While completion does not guarantee immediate employment, participants gain valuable experience and are connected to a network of industry partners.

“Our job is to build youth economic resilience by equipping young people with the skills, networks and opportunities to participate meaningfully in the economy,” Phukubye said.

As interest in JumpStart grows, so too have unauthorised and fraudulent recruitment messages circulating online. Recent fake advertisements on social media and messaging platforms have falsely claimed that Mr Price or the JumpStart programme is offering guaranteed jobs or is charging fees to participate. The Mr Price Foundation will never ask for money or fees, emphasised the organisation.

Visit the official Mr Price Foundation website to apply and verify programme details and information on how to apply.

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