South Africa, like many countries globally, grapples with the challenge of youth unemployment. This is supported by statistics indicating a 45,5% unemployment rate among young individuals (aged 15-34 years), in contrast to the national average of 32,9% in the first quarter of 2024”, according to Statistics SA.”  The Western Cape is no exception to this alarming trend.

In response to the country’s youth unemployment issues and a way to assist government to address this challenge, Samsung launched a R280-million worth Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) in 2019. The company is now celebrating five years of this EEIP programme’s sustained success. This EEIP programme is projected to have a measurable impact on job creation and a contribution of nearly R1-billion to the South African economy at large. Five years in and Samsung’s EEIP programme has managed to train 539 youth in SWD and artisanal skills.

Jose Frantz, Deputy Vice Chancellor: research and innovation, University of the Western Cape said: “We firmly believe in the transformative power of higher education to empower youth. The Future-Innovation Lab at UWC exemplifies this commitment by equipping previously disadvantaged youth with the skills and experiences necessary to succeed in an AI-driven economy. By bridging the gap between education and industry, this initiative not only addresses the pressing issue of youth unemployment but also fosters a culture of innovation and resilience. As we celebrate the upcoming graduation of the fourth cohort, we recognize the importance of such programs in nurturing the next generation of leaders and change-makers. Together, we can create a future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.”

This SWD programme that is part of Samsung’s EEIP has ensured sustained ICT investment in historically disadvantaged universities, which in turn has helped to enhance the prospects of employment in the country’s youth. Importantly, this SWD programme has provided an opportunity to previously disadvantaged youth to gain skills in software development and digital social innovation with the ultimate aim of opening doors to employment or further training. Samsung strives for a 100% absorption rate of all the students in its training programmes.

Lenhle Khoza, Manager for B-BBEE and Transformation at Samsung South Africa said: “As Samsung, we would like to congratulate this group of brilliant students. From the start of this programme, our focus has been on capacity building in ICT training and development. With these software development skills, we are confident that these UWC students will now be able to play a crucial role in the digital economy.”

For Samsung, this graduation of the fourth cohort in this SWD programme is a clear indication of how successful partnerships with institutions of higher learning such as UWC are helping to address the country’s societal challenges through the development of digital solutions.

And according to UWC, the 41 students that participated in the SWD programme have gained proficiency in high-demand coding languages, software architecture, web and mobile app development as well as database management and more. The hands-on and project-based approach has ensured that graduates emerge not just with theoretical knowledge, but also with the practical skills demanded by the modern job market.

With hands-on, real-world experience provided through creativity and fun in a learning and working environment, these UWC students will now be able to successfully apply their new skills, which are highly sought-after in the country’s digital economy.

“As Samsung, we’ve always prioritised the need to demonstrate a measurable outcome on the country’s youth in all our education-focused initiatives. This SWD is no exception, in collaboration with UWC – we have ensured that these graduating students are employable and that some are able to attain permanent employment through our partner network,” concluded Khoza.

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^*Source – Unemployment in South Africa: A Youth Perspective | Statistics South Africa (statssa.gov.za)

In response to the challenges faced by information and communication technology (ICT) graduates in securing jobs within the software development industry, Samsung initiated this ground-breaking 12-month internship programme. The initiative, which is part of Samsung’s Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), is aimed at bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry experience. The 18 talented interns, who were selected based on their IT tertiary qualifications, were provided with intensive mentorship under the guidance of senior developers.

Samsung supported the cohort with an investment exceeding R190 000 per candidate, which went towards stipends, computer equipment and access to data, full-time access to a software engineer and mentor, and access to facilities at Tshimologong as the host of the internship program.

“The ICT industry often demands years of experience from job seekers, which can be a significant barrier for fresh graduates,” said Lenhle Khoza, B-BBEE and Transformation Manager at Samsung. “Through our partnership with Tshimologong, we’ve been able to accelerate the professional development of these interns, equipping them with skills equivalent to multiple years of industry experience.”

The programme focuses on technical skills and emphasises real-world project experience and professional mentorship. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance the employability of the graduates, preparing them to contribute effectively to the tech industry in South Africa. Some of the projects include a database for educational institutions, a property maintenance system, and an application called ‘Accommodate Me’, an innovative solution that streamlines every aspect of the accommodation journey.

“Through my involvement in the Samsung Advance Industry Exposure programme, I have gained invaluable qualities like communication and the capacity to work well with others, which are critical in any field. Gaining practical work experience is crucial for graduates, and this programme gave me the chance to collaborate closely with mentors and seasoned developers,” said Phamela Makhubele, a fourth cohort student.

Since its inception in 2020, the Samsung-sponsored internship programme has yielded promising results. A total of 35 graduates from the last three cohorts have secured formal employment, representing a 100% absorption, demonstrating the programme’s efficacy in meeting industry needs. From the current cohort of 18 graduates (10 males and 8 females), who have completed this rigorous programme, six have already obtained formal employment, while the remaining 12 are undergoing interviews with prospective employers.

“Samsung remains committed to fostering the growth of quality software development skills in South Africa,” added Lenhle Khoza, B-BBEE and Transformation Manager. “Our partnership with Tshimologong not only supports the development of future tech start-ups but also contributes to the broader goal of building a skilled workforce in the ICT sector.”

“We are thrilled to announce the graduation of the fourth cohort of students who have developed advanced technology skills and are now prepared to enter the workforce. We are proud to contribute to reducing unemployment and fostering job creation. We wish our graduates the best in their future careers and hope they maintain a strong connection with Tshimologong,” said Mark Harris, CEO of Tshimologong Digital Precinct.

Samsung Electronics Germany took part in Girls’ Day by organizing experience zones that featured activities designed to nurture young women’s digital skills and introduce them to career opportunities in information technology.

Background

Organized annually since 2001 in Germany, Girls’ Day is a nationwide activity supported by the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Hundreds of companies and organizations take part, offering young women insights in career opportunities in the field of tech, science and IT.

Why It Matters

Encouraging more girls to explore opportunities in tech will lead to an enriching influx of talented women into the IT sector. Their insights will ultimately yield innovations that have the power to change the way we experience the world.

Each year, on the last Thursday in April, Germany celebrates Girls’ Day – a day dedicated to nurturing young women’s curiosity by encouraging them to explore opportunities in science and technology. This year, to celebrate the special day, Samsung Electronics Germany invited approximately 80 bright young women to take part in exciting activities held at locations across the country: at SEG’s headquarters in Schwalbach, at the recently opened Samsung Showcase in Frankfurt, and at the company’s Customer Service Plazas in Berlin, Hamburg and Stuttgart.

A joint effort of Samsung’s Citizenship and Service divisions, the Girls’ Day events offered students a chance to get hands-on with Samsung devices and digital technologies with the help of Samsung employees, who illuminated how the various innovations work.

A coding workshop at the Samsung Showcase venue demonstrates just how fun coding can be.

Unlocking Potential

Girls’ Day was created to tackle the pressing issue of women’s underrepresentation in the IT sector. Samsung Electronics Germany’s exciting workshops introduced students to various forms of IT-related work and invited them to learn more about fascinating careers that may not have been on their radar.

At Samsung Electronics Germany’s Customer Service Plazas, 11- to 16-year-old participants were treated to a fun and insightful training activity that offered them a closer look at how Samsung devices work. With instructors at their side, the young women disassembled Samsung Smart TVs, learned how the intricate components housed within interact with one another, and carefully reassembled them.

In Berlin, participants were shown how to take apart and reassemble a TV.

In Schwalbach, participants received a guided tour of the Samsung House, which also featured an enlightening overview of the wide range of careers that they could one day pursue at SEG. Students also received insights into content and video production for the Samsung Service website and took part in a lively demonstration of the rigorous tests that smartphones undergo before going on sale.

The Schwalbach experience zone also featured a special guest: YouTube star Jodie Calussi. In addition to participating in the program herself, Calussi interviewed the girls and filmed it all to share with her more than 440,000 subscribers.

Nurturing Digital Skills

Because teaching coding is a great way to nurture students’ digital skills, the brand-new Samsung Showcase venue in Frankfurt served as host to an exciting coding workshop. Conducted by experienced instructor Tobias Hübner, the beginner’s course served as a demonstration of just how easy (and fun) coding can be.

During the workshop, students were shown how to create their own computer game by programming a joystick connected to a PC and monitor.

After learning the basics of the Scratch programming language, the girls were shown how to create a computer game by programming a joystick connected to a PC and monitor. The activity was a hit with the students as well as Calussi, who hurried over to join in on the fun after finishing her session in Schwalbach.

Expanding Perceptions

SEG’s participation in the Girls’ Day initiative underlines its commitment to nurturing students’ digital skills. Encouraging more students to experience advanced technologies will lead more bright young minds to consider careers in IT – which will ultimately yield more powerful innovations.

“[Our Girls’ Day events] are intended to show that tech professions are not only for boys”, said Steffen Ganders, Director of Corporate Affairs, Samsung Electronics Germany. “Digital technologies fascinate us and enrich our lives, and it’s essential that we foster understanding of the mechanisms behind them.”

Source: Newsroom Global