The Collective X

Collective X in the News: Unlocking the Power of Digital Skills If you missed the online story earlier this year, we’re thrilled to be featured in the current printed CIO magazine that re-visits our inaugural conference in June this year. The article highlights the critical role that digital skills play in unlocking R400 billion for the South African economy. Industry leaders like Collective X board chairman and executive chairman of BSG, Mteto Nyati, Lillian Barnard, president at Microsoft Africa, and Phuthi M., South Africa CEO at Naspers, underscored the need for a unified national strategy and the transformative potential of AI and other emerging technologies to foster growth and competitiveness. During a roundtable, led by Collective X board member and Chief Commercial Officer at EOH, Ziaad Suleman, CIOs and business leaders emphasised the importance of cultivating purpose-driven, adaptable talent alongside technical expertise to equip the next generation with industry-relevant skills. #CollectiveX #CIOMagazine #DigitalSkills #YouthEmployment #EconomicGrowth #AIFuture The print version of this story is available here

Inspiring Conversations for a Brighter Future Last night, Collective X convened a gathering of CEOs and strategic thinkers within our ecosystem at a leadership dinner in Cape Town, aimed at exploring pathways to scale digital skills and create sustainable employment for South Africa’s youth. Hosted by Collective X board member Pieter de Villiers, co-founder and CEO of Clickatell, the evening sparked powerful discussions on the critical role of co-funded opportunities in driving meaningful, scalable change in the digital sector. The leaders in attendance shared a strong commitment to advancing a national plan that empowers the next generation, fostering a resilient, innovative workforce ready for the digital future. A big thank you to everyone who joined and to Pieter for hosting a memorable evening of collaboration, robust dialogue, and shared vision. Together, we’re making strides toward a future where young South Africans are equipped with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive. #CollectiveX #YouthEmployment #DigitalSkills #Leadership #FutureOfWork #CollectiveImpact

Shaping the Future of 4IR: Project codeX’s Programme Expansion Exciting news from one of Collective X’s valued training partners, Project codeX! Their innovative 4IR programme, developed in collaboration with Accenture and a leading University in SA, is expanding beyond its current sponsor, offering large corporates a unique opportunity to get involved, create a 4IR talent pipeline, and claim back skills development levies. The programme has been a driving force in preparing graduates with cutting-edge skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Launched in 2021, it combines deep theoretical knowledge of technologies like machine learning, blockchain, and the Internet of Things, with hands-on web development skills through real-world capstone projects. By partnering with Project codeX, companies can: • Access a vetted pool of graduates skilled in 4IR technologies. • Influence capstone projects addressing real business challenges. • Shape large-scale 4IR skills development. • Benefit from financial incentives through skills development levy claims. The programme is designed to cater to cohorts of 100 learners who gain practical 4IR skills while nurturing work readiness, making it a fantastic opportunity for organisations looking to prepare for the future of work. Learn more about how you can collaborate with Project codeX and help build South Africa’s 4IR workforce by contacting Project codeX's CTO Andre Vermeulen at [email protected] #CollectiveX #ProjectcodeX #4IR #DigitalTransformation #SkillsDevelopment #FutureOfWork #MachineLearning #Blockchain #IoT #CapstoneProjects

Collective X’s co-funded digital skills initiative wraps first round with overwhelming response! At midnight last night, applications closed for Collective X’s first-ever co-funded digital skills initiative. Initially, we set out to support 600 young South Africans, but the ecosystem’s incredible response has resulted in nearly 3,000 digital jobs proposed through 26 employer-led applications.  Additionally, over 170 training partners have registered with Collective X, signalling strong interest in our collaborative approach to solving South Africa’s digital skills gap. This remarkable show of support highlights the commitment across sectors to build South Africa’s digital talent pipeline. We’ll be in touch with all applicants shortly, and for those eager to join us—both employers and training providers— stay tuned! We’ll be opening a new round of co-funding very soon. Register your interest here: https://lnkd.in/eD-eR22E

Advancing Digital Skills and Youth Opportunities at SA Youth Solutions Exchange 2024 Yesterday, our CEO, Evan Jones, joined a panel at the SA Youth Solutions Exchange to discuss scaling breakthrough skilling solutions. Hosted by Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator alongside The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa , Business Unity SA, and Youth Employment Service (YES) South Africa, the event focused on practical solutions to create 1 million new earning opportunities for South Africa’s youth by 2026. During the discussion, with fellow panellists—Riyaadh Ebrahim, Programme Director at Jobs Boost, Vijayen Naidoo, CEO of QCTO, Gugu McLaren-Ushewokunze from the National Business Initiative, and Thivhudziwi Vele from the Department of Higher Education & Training, and expertly facilitated by Stephen Shields and Sybil Chabane from Harambee—Evan outlined Collective X’s mission to bridge South Africa’s digital skills gap. He emphasised the urgent need to double national training capacity through a coordinated and accessible strategy. Evan reaffirmed Collective X’s approach to building that capacity through partnerships to produce a robust entry-level digital workforce that meets industry needs, benefiting both youth and the broader economy. We are inspired by the shared dedication and collective momentum from the SA Youth Solutions Exchange. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this crucial dialogue!

One Week to Go: Applications for Collective X's Co-funded Digital Skills Initiative Close on 31 October! Don't miss your chance to shape the future of South Africa's digital workforce. Our Co-funded Digital Skills Initiative offers employers a unique opportunity to influence the development of entry-level digital talent and help address the country’s digital skills shortage. Here’s why you should apply:  • Employer-led: Ensure the skills developed align with your business needs. • Co-funding Model: A financially viable way to invest in the digital skills your organisation requires. •  National Reach: Open to employers across all South African regions. •  Work-Integrated Learning: Equip young talent with practical, real-world experience. With only one week left, now is the time to act! Applications close 31 October – join us in fostering the next generation of digital professionals. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eD-eR22E #DigitalSkills #TalentDevelopment #CollectiveX #CoFunding #EmployerLed #FutureOfWork

Shaping SA’s AI Future: Collective X Engages with GIZ’s FAIR Forward Initiative Collective X’s Deidre Samson recently had the privilege of attending a workshop in Johannesburg hosted by The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The event focused on GIZ’s “FAIR Forward – Artificial Intelligence for All” initiative, which is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a major growth market, estimated to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030 – equivalent to 75% of the United States' yearly GDP. The GIZ’s project focuses on fostering a more inclusive and sustainable global approach to AI by developing local AI ecosystems in countries like South Africa, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, India, and Indonesia. In South Africa, GIZ collaborates with key partners including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), and researchers from the University of the Western Cape to create the AI Maturity Assessment Framework of South Africa (AI MAF), which aligns with the The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies national AI plan. The workshop provided an invaluable platform for stakeholders to engage in collaborative discussions, offer feedback, and contribute to the co-design of the AI MAF framework, helping shape South Africa’s AI future. #CollectiveX #FAIRForward #AIForAll #ArtificialIntelligence #AIEcosystem #DigitalTransformation #InclusiveTech 

Thank you, Chris Erasmus, for the shout-out in The CEO Magazine! We’re thrilled to be mentioned by Chris Erasmus, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Country General Manager for South Africa, in a recent interview with The CEO Magazine, where he highlights the crucial role partnerships play in addressing the country’s digital skills crisis. Since 2017, AWS has trained over 100,000 people across South Africa, and through collaborations with organisations like Collective X, we’re amplifying the development of digital skills at scale. Together, we’re unlocking opportunities for youth, upskilling the workforce, and fostering the digital talent pipeline that South Africa urgently needs. As Chris notes in the article: “This allows us to train, upskill, and provide access to education to a broader set of individuals than we otherwise would have been able to."" We’re incredibly proud to partner with AWS, who shares our commitment to driving digital transformation and creating opportunities for the next generation. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/etbgJYQB 📸: https://htxt.co.za/

Empowering the Future Workforce with Digital Skills Collective X’s Deidre Samson attended the onboarding of 51 young individuals at Forvis Mazars Group as part of one of our co-funding initiatives, marking the beginning of their digital skills journey. These young learners are now on track to develop the critical digital competencies needed to thrive in the ever-evolving digital economy. Key milestones have already been reached: • All learners have been successfully registered on the SA Youth platform, ensuring they’re prepared for the journey ahead. • Forvis Mazars' domain has been set up on Skills TX, the platform used to track learner progress. Their admin team quickly mastered user management and the system’s functionalities. • Each learner has completed their SFIA baseline assessment to provide a clear understanding of their starting point and allowing us to monitor their growth as they work toward achieving competency. Deidre also had the chance to speak about the role of Collective X during the onboarding, highlighting our commitment to supporting these young people throughout their learning journey. We are thrilled to see the progress made so far and look forward to guiding this cohort toward a brighter, digitally skilled future. #CollectiveX #JobsBoost #DigitalSkills #YouthDevelopment #SFIA #DigitalTransformation

Deadline Extension for Collective X Co-Funded Digital Skills Initiative! We’re thrilled by the incredible response to our co-funded digital skills initiative, aimed at helping employers build quality digital talent pipelines. Due to overwhelming interest, we’ve extended the application deadline from 18 October to 31 October. Here’s why: 1. High Demand: Employers have shown great interest, and we want to ensure everyone has enough time. 2. Internal Processes: We know corporate processes can take time, so we’re giving applicants more room to finalise their submissions. 3. Application Opportunity: Whether you’re starting your application fresh or wrapping it up, the extra time is for you! Remember, simply indicating your intention to apply by 31 October isn’t enough—all application materials must be submitted by this date. We’ll begin assessing applications on 1 November. This initiative presents employers with a unique opportunity to shape the future of their digital talent pipeline. Apply on our website today https://lnkd.in/eD-eR22E! #DigitalSkills #TalentDevelopment #CollectiveX #CoFunding #SkillsPipeline #FutureofWork