Futureproofing our young people

Schauenburg Systems (Pty) Ltd, a leading technology company in the field of mine safety and productivity, has donated R800 000 towards the establishment and build of a digital lab helping young, unemployed people learn critical skills in the technology field.

Over the past 20 years, technology has become critical to ways of working across industries.

Schauenburg Systems, through its partnership with the Youth Employment Service (YES), answered the call to ensure unemployed youth are equipped with these critical skills. The company’s donation for the establishment of a digital lab at the Netcare Ulusha Hub at the Alex Mall in Alexandra, an innovative entrepreneurship facility which was established by Netcare together with YES, will enable the digital lab to offer courses aligned with the 4IR goals. It is specially located and designed to address barriers to youth employment and economic inclusion. The YES Hubs offer young people in the township the opportunity to develop their potential and turn their hopes and dreams into feasible economic opportunities.

Once launched, young people will be able to learn graphic design, data capturing, interpersonal and organisational skills linked to personal assistant roles, as well as Microsoft Outlook and Teams. This donation follows on the heels of Schauenburg employing 32 young people through their YES partnership.

“The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is real, and it’s here,“ says Dieter Kovar, CEO of Schauenburg International-Africa Group. “The question remains though: Are we as a good corporate citizen futureproofing our workforce to make full use of technology and embrace 4IR with both arms? Our digitalization strategy so far encompassed the two pillars of internal digitalization of processes to become more productive and designing products that enhance customer experience through providing real-time solutions. With this investment, we go beyond and also skill-up the community.“

Participants who register at the Hub are offered access to networks, training, markets, work opportunities, ideas for careers or new businesses, and the necessary partner support to make it happen. The Hub already boasts a culinary academy, a 3D printing facility, Termite Labs, and a textile manufacturing facility, Hluvuko Designs, which recently landed a massive order for maternity bags from private hospital operator, Life Healthcare.

“Youth unemployment is a national crisis of epidemic proportions, and the formal sector cannot create employment at the scale that is needed. However, the fourth industrial revolution has allowed us to leapfrog some of the obstacles and create opportunities that would not have been open to these youth ten years ago. By exponentially increasing their job placement ability through nurturing relevant, in-demand skills, companies like Schauenburg not only drive their own growth but help reignite the economy,” says Leanne Emery, chief marketing and client officer at the Youth Employment Service.

Other co-funders to the digital lab include EOH, Microsoft and Juramani.