Amidst ongoing economic transformation in South Africa, youth unemployment remains a critical challenge demanding urgent attention. The youth face significant obstacles in securing meaningful employment, with a shortage of skills and limited workplace exposure among the primary barriers.
It is within this context that Liberty’s Learning and Development, in partnership with Octomate Education, has embarked on a transformative journey to empower unemployed youths through learnerships and work readiness programmes. Our shared vision is clear: to bridge the gap between education and employment, equipping the youths with the skills and experience necessary to thrive in the world of work.
A Strategic Partnership for Impact
Liberty’s collaboration with Octomate Education is driven by a commitment to excellence and a desire to make a measurable impact. This partnership brings together a wealth of expertise in designing and delivering bespoke learnerships and work readiness programmes that are both relevant and responsive to the needs of the financial services sector. The programmes are carefully crafted, offering a suite of interventions that go beyond traditional classroom learning, focusing on holistic development and real-world application.
Work Readiness Programme
Workplace readiness is a significant challenge for first-time entrants into the workforce. A lack of exposure, limited knowledge of the business environment, and underdeveloped interpersonal or soft skills—particularly among those from disadvantaged backgrounds—are just some of the challenges facing unemployed youth.
Liberty’s workplace readiness programme provides an effective means of preparing the unemployed youths, aiming to develop critical soft skills that form the foundation of a successful career. The programme enables new entrants to acquire industry-related skills and insights, including a thorough understanding of the business sector in which they will be working. The curriculum covers a range of topics, such as Interpersonal Skills, Personal Branding, Self-Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Design Thinking, Critical thinking, Communication, Teamwork, Customer Service Excellence, Professionalism, Business Etiquette, Client Centricity, an overview of Treating Customers Fairly, Self-Development (including Vision Board and Positive Thinking), Introduction to the Enneagram, Community of Practice, Diversity and Inclusion, Time Management, Stress Management and Embracing Artificial Intelligence.
These are complemented by industry-specific case studies that introduce participants to the fundamentals of the financial services sector. By integrating real-world scenarios and practical examples, the programme ensures learners gain relevant knowledge that directly aligns with the operational realities of the workplace.
Practical Insights into the Workplace
The feedback from the actuarial interns who attended the work readiness programme is overwhelmingly positive and appreciative. Interns highlighted that the programme effectively challenged them to step out of their comfort zones, resulting in increased confidence and adaptability. Learners found the sessions both informative and engaging, with praise for the educational value and the interactive nature of the classes. Interns found the programme to be an excellent and worthwhile experience, exceeding their expectations and equipping them with practical skills and insights for the workplace.
Shaping South Africa’s Financial Services Future Through Learnerships
One of the flagship initiatives of the partnership between Liberty and Octomate Education is the implementation of unemployed learnerships. These structured programs combine theoretical knowledge with practical, on-the-job training, offering learners a unique opportunity to gain valuable work experience while earning a nationally recognized qualification. For the youth, this represents a vital first step on the ladder to a sustainable career.
The impact of these learnerships is evident in the stories of the graduates. The youths who once faced an uncertain future are now entering the workforce equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a meaningful contribution. Learners can secure permanent employment through the learnership programmes.
Nominee for the Inseta Overall Best Implementing Partner Award: Employer Category in 2025.
Throughout a pre-program planning meeting with Octomate Education, Mr Fadiel Mohamed, Skills Development Facilitator at Liberty Learning and Development, underscored the importance of delivering programmes that create intentional impact. He emphasized the need for ongoing commitment to initiatives that benefit learners and highlighted the necessity of implementing effective evaluation methods to accurately measure and demonstrate programme’s impact.
In appreciation of the opportunity to serve as a partner of choice for Liberty, Mr. Abbot Pfukwa, CEO of Octomate Education, extended his congratulations to Liberty’s learning and Development on their nomination for the Inseta Overall Best Implementing Partner Award: Employer Category-2025. Liberty’s approach to learnerships for unemployed youth, is a perfect model for the financial services sector in South Africa.
