Young people in Tshwane can register for the Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme to access skills training, internships, work-readiness support, entrepreneurship programmes, artisan training, driver’s licence assistance and supplier-development opportunities.
The City of Tshwane launched Ithuba in 2026 for young people aged 18 to 35. The programme is designed to create different routes into work, training and business rather than offering a single type of opportunity.
More than 9,000 young people had registered by the end of July 2026, while over 1,500 had already taken part in training, skills development or opportunities offered through programme partners.
Who can register?
Registration is open to young people aged 18 to 35.
The programme may suit people who are:
- Looking for work
- Interested in internships
- Looking for practical or technical training
- Planning an artisan career
- Starting or growing a business
- Seeking driver’s licence support
- Interested in City supplier opportunities
- Looking for work-readiness training
Different opportunities have their own requirements, so registering on the platform does not automatically qualify someone for every programme.
Which opportunities are available?
Ithuba covers several areas of youth development, including skills training, employment support and entrepreneurship.
The main programme areas include:
- Skilled trades
- Driver’s licence support
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Work readiness and internships
- Supplier development
Opportunities can change as new programmes and partnerships are added.
What skilled trades can young people explore?
The skilled-trades pathway connects young people with artisan and technician training.
Technical training can support careers in fields such as electrical work, plumbing, welding, vehicle mechanics, fitting and turning, boiler making and other practical occupations.
For someone who prefers hands-on work, artisan training can provide a route towards formal employment or eventually running a small technical business.
The exact trades available depend on the programmes open at the time.
What support is available for job seekers?
The Work Readiness and Internships programme helps young people prepare for employment and gain workplace exposure.
Support can include:
- CV writing
- Interview preparation
- Internships
- Job placement assistance
This may be useful for graduates and other young job seekers who have qualifications or skills but limited workplace experience.
A good CV and interview preparation cannot guarantee employment, but they can help applicants present their skills more clearly when opportunities become available.
Can Ithuba help with a driver’s licence?
Driver’s licence support forms part of the Ithuba programme.
The City describes this as funding and assistance aimed at helping eligible young people obtain a driver’s licence.
A licence can widen the range of work someone can apply for, particularly in fields such as logistics, field services, sales, technical work and transport-related roles.
Availability and selection requirements may depend on the specific programme.
What support is available for young entrepreneurs?
Ithuba includes business-development support for young people who want to start or grow an enterprise.
The programme aims to help participants develop business ideas and improve their ability to take part in the local economy.
The City reported an initial R8 million allocation for youth entrepreneurship in its 2026 State of the Capital Address.
Entrepreneurship support may be particularly useful for people who already have a business idea, trade or service but need help turning it into a more structured operation.
Can youth-owned businesses become City suppliers?
Supplier development is one of the programme’s business pathways.
Ithuba aims to help young entrepreneurs understand formal procurement and work towards becoming registered suppliers to the City.
This can be useful for businesses that want to move beyond informal trading and compete for larger supply opportunities.
Registration as a supplier does not guarantee contracts, but it can give a business access to procurement processes it would otherwise be unable to enter.
What training is available through partners?
Ithuba works with public, private and civil-society partners to expand the programmes available to young people.
Reported partners include:
- Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency
- National Youth Development Agency
- Takealot
- Microsoft South Africa
- South African Mobile Devices Distributors and Repairers Association
Partner programmes have included AI Fluency training and cellphone repair technology training.
These partnerships allow Ithuba to offer training beyond traditional job-readiness programmes and into areas linked to technology, technical skills and entrepreneurship.
How do you register?
Registration is completed through the official Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme portal.
Register on the Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme portal
Applicants create an account and provide information such as:
- Personal details
- Contact information
- Programme preferences
- Enterprise information, where relevant
Registered users can then review opportunities available through the platform.
What should you prepare?
Keep your basic personal, education and career information ready before registering.
Useful documents and information may include:
- South African ID details
- Current contact information
- Updated CV
- School results or qualifications
- Skills certificates
- Business information, where relevant
Only submit documents requested through the official platform or a specific programme application.
Does registration guarantee an opportunity?
Registration gives young people access to the Ithuba platform, but it does not guarantee employment, training, funding or placement.
Each internship, course, business programme or skills opportunity can have its own entry requirements and selection process.
Applicants should therefore read the conditions of each opportunity before applying.
How can you find current opportunities?
Registered users can browse opportunities through the Ithuba portal as they become available.
Because programmes can open and close at different times, the portal is more useful than relying on older social-media posts or previously advertised opportunities.
Young people interested in technical training, internships, entrepreneurship or skills development should check the platform regularly for programmes that match their goals.
