ETDP-SETA Handover

The Real Work of Youth Impact Begins with Access

As South Africa reflects on Youth Day this June, the conversation around young people, opportunity, and economic participation becomes more urgent.

Youth Day is not only a moment of remembrance. It is also a reminder of the responsibility that institutions, industry, and society carry in shaping the futures of young South Africans. While many young people remain eager to learn, work, and contribute, too many still face barriers that make meaningful participation feel out of reach. Access to education is one such barrier.

This is the kind of impact that Open Learning Group aims to support through its partnership with ETDP SETA.

Through this initiative, five previously unemployed students have been registered for the Bachelor of Business Administration in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, an NQF Level 7 qualification offered as part of OLG’s 2026 academic intake. Each student also received a laptop to support full participation in OLG’s online learning environment.

When organisations invest in young people through credible, industry-aligned qualifications, they are not simply funding studies. They are helping to build the bridge between ambition and employment.

For the five students enrolled through this ETDP SETA-funded initiative, the opportunity represents more than access to higher education. It marks the beginning of a long-term academic and career journey in one of South Africa’s most essential sectors: logistics and supply chain management.

By supporting young people in this field, partnerships like this do more than open doors for individuals; they help strengthen the future workforce.

Education that prepares young people for the workplace

The students have been enrolled in OLG’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, a three-year qualification designed to equip learners with both core business knowledge and specialised supply chain skills.

The qualification focuses on key areas including:

Procurement and sourcing
Inventory and operations management
Transportation systems
Supply chain strategy
Business and management principles

By offering a programme like the BBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, OLG connects learning to how businesses operate, how goods move, how services are delivered, and how supply chains support the economy.

This is what makes the programme significant. It not only provides students with a qualification. It helps them understand the practical demands of industry and develop knowledge that can be applied in the workplace.

A milestone for access and impact

The initiative provides access to higher education opportunities that may otherwise have been out of reach. By combining funding, academic access, digital tools, and structured learner support, the programme creates a stronger pathway for students to enter and succeed in higher education.

As part of the official handover, each student received a laptop. This ensures that they can participate fully in the online learning environment from the start of their studies. The handover, therefore, represented more than the start of a qualification, but represented a shared commitment to giving students the tools and support they need to take the opportunity seriously and succeed.

OLG’s approach recognises that enrolment is only the beginning. For education to create real impact, students need to be supported throughout their academic journey.

Through this programme, students will receive:

Structured academic support
Ongoing guidance and mentorship
Regular progress monitoring
A learning model designed to support completion and competence

The goal is to help them complete their studies, build confidence, and become work-ready professionals who can contribute meaningfully in their chosen field.

As Makgau Dibakwane, Chief Executive Officer of OLG, shared:

“As OLG, we’re excited to have this opportunity to further the education and careers of these young people. The joint efforts of ETDP SETA and OLG aim to address the education and unemployment issues that South Africa faces today. We look forward to more partnerships that will enrich our youth and further the skills and knowledge of our youth.”

The role of forward thinking partners

Youth Development requires companies, SETAs, funders, and industry partners who understand that skills development is not only a compliance requirement. When done intentionally, it becomes a practical investment in future talent, workforce readiness, and long-term economic participation.

OLG extends its sincere appreciation to ETDP SETA for its support in making this initiative possible. This partnership demonstrates what becomes possible when funding is aligned with programmes that are relevant to industry, accessible to learners, and supported by a structured academic model.

For organisations looking to make meaningful use of their skills development funding, this initiative offers a clear example:

Invest in qualifications that respond to real industry needs
Support young people beyond access and into completion.
Align education outcomes with workplace readiness.
Build skills pipelines that contribute to employability and economic growth.
Partner with institutions that can deliver structured, supported learning

This is how skills development moves from intention to measurable impact.

As Tinyiko Mohale, Higher Education Registrar at OLG, said:

“As Open Learning Group, we are very proud to be a part of this impactful partnership, and we look forward to more initiatives. We congratulate our students as they further their careers.”