Culture
News Posts
In the world of B-BBEE and Skills Development, “Portfolio Management” is a term often used but rarely understood. Many businesses treat their training spend as a box-ticking exercise, leading to the #1 reason for B-BBEE verification rejections in 2026
The Skills Development Corporation (SDC) is honoured to partner with BIC® as part of its inspiring 2026 “Let Your Full School Story Out” campaign, an initiative dedicated to empowering young South Africans through education, storytelling, and meaningful opportunities for growth.
As we commemorate Youth Month, the latest data from Statistics South Africa paints a sobering picture. South Africa’s official unemployment rate rose to 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 31.4% in the previous quarter. The economy shed 345,000 jobs during this period, while the number of unemployed South Africans increased by more than 301,000. Young people remain the hardest hit, with unemployment among those aged 15–24 reaching 60.9%, highlighting the urgent need for meaningful skills development and employment opportunities.
SDC is proud to announce an exciting partnership and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), focused on creating better opportunities for young people across Gauteng.
In the high-stakes environment of South African corporate compliance, the word “training” is often used loosely. However, from a B-BBEE perspective, not all training is created equally. For businesses aiming to maximize their Skills Development pillar—which remains a priority element worth up to 20 points plus 5 bonus points—the distinction between accredited and non-accredited training is the difference between a successful audit and a costly level drop.
In the current South African economic climate, the “skills gap” is more than just a buzzword; it is a significant barrier to corporate growth and national transformation. For businesses in Johannesburg—the powerhouse of the South African economy—finding the right talent to fuel B-BBEE initiatives while ensuring genuine workplace productivity can be a logistical nightmare.
Understanding Stipends: A Guide by The Skills Development Corporation
In South Africa where youth unemployment is fast becoming one of the highest in the world, with 45,5% unemployment rate among young people who are aged 15-34 years. South Africa’s learnership programs have become a lifeline for thousands of young people looking to break into the employment sector. Designed as a bridge between education and employment, learnerships are now seen not just as training opportunities, but as powerful tools for long-term careers in the development and economic inclusion space.