Young people in Tshwane can register for the Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme, which combines employment preparation, internships, artisan training, entrepreneurship support, supplier development and driver’s licence assistance.
The programme is open to young people aged 18 to 35 and is designed to help participants build practical skills, prepare for employment, develop businesses and take part in economic opportunities across Tshwane.
Five main development areas are available:
- Work Readiness and Internships
- Skilled Trades
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Supplier Development
- Driver’s Licence Support
What is the Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme?
Ithuba is a City of Tshwane youth-development initiative focused on practical economic participation.
Instead of offering only one type of opportunity, it brings together employment preparation, technical training, business development and mobility support.
The City launched the programme as part of its wider economic-development work and allocated an initial R8 million toward youth entrepreneurship support. By April 2026, close to 3,000 young people had registered for the programme.
Who can register?
The registration portal is available to young people aged 18 to 35.
Because Ithuba includes several different programmes, the requirements for individual opportunities can differ.
Registering creates your profile and allows you to select the programme area that suits what you want to develop.
What does Work Readiness and Internships offer?
The Work Readiness and Internships stream focuses on preparing young people for employment.
Support includes:
- CV writing
- Interview preparation
- Internships
- Job placement
This can be useful if you need help preparing professional applications or gaining workplace experience.
The programme also operates an Opportunity Corner where employment, training and development opportunities can be published for registered users.
Can you get internship experience?
Internships form part of the employment-development section of Ithuba.
These opportunities can help young people gain practical workplace experience and develop skills that are difficult to build through academic study alone.
Available opportunities can change over time, so registering on the Ithuba platform gives you access to the programme environment where new opportunities can be made available.
What does the Skilled Trades programme offer?
The Skilled Trades stream focuses on training for artisans and technicians.
This can be relevant if you want to develop technical skills for careers connected to fields such as engineering, maintenance, construction or other skilled occupations.
The exact trade opportunities and entry requirements can differ depending on the training opportunity available.
How can Ithuba help with employment?
The programme combines several forms of support rather than treating job placement as a standalone activity.
You may be able to build employment readiness through:
- CV development
- Interview skills
- Workplace exposure
- Internship opportunities
- Job placement support
- Technical training
This gives young people different ways to improve their ability to enter the labour market.
What support is available for entrepreneurs?
The Business and Entrepreneurship stream is aimed at young people who want to start or develop a business.
Its focus is helping participants turn business ideas into operating enterprises.
The programme sits within Tshwane’s broader economic-development work, which includes initiatives aimed at improving access to business support and economic opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
Can existing businesses participate?
Ithuba is not limited to young people looking for traditional employment.
Entrepreneurship and supplier development form separate parts of the programme, which means young business owners can also register for support relevant to enterprise development.
The City also allows businesses and other enterprises to register to participate in the programme through its pledge system.
What is Supplier Development?
Supplier Development focuses on helping businesses prepare to become registered suppliers to the City of Tshwane.
This can include building an understanding of municipal procurement and the requirements businesses need to meet before competing for opportunities.
Tshwane also runs business-development initiatives that explain processes such as its SAP Ariba procurement system, finding tenders and responding to City opportunities.
Why is supplier registration useful?
Becoming procurement-ready can open a different route into economic activity for young entrepreneurs.
Instead of applying for employment, your business may be able to provide goods or services to organisations if it meets the required procurement and compliance standards.
Supplier development therefore connects entrepreneurship with procurement and business growth.
Can Ithuba help you get a driver’s licence?
Driver’s licence support is one of the programme’s five main areas.
The City describes this component as providing funding and support to help young people obtain a driver’s licence.
A driver’s licence can be useful for employment opportunities where mobility forms part of the role, particularly in logistics, field services, technical work, sales and other operational careers.
Do you need to choose only one area?
The registration process allows you to create a profile and select the programme you want to participate in.
The main choices include employment preparation, skilled trades, business development, supplier development and driver’s licence support.
You should choose the option that best matches the type of development or support you currently need.
What can the programme help you build?
Depending on the stream you enter, Ithuba can help you develop experience or skills in areas such as:
- Workplace readiness
- Interview preparation
- Professional CV development
- Technical and artisan skills
- Entrepreneurship
- Business development
- Municipal supplier readiness
- Employment experience
- Mobility through driver’s licence support
This makes the programme relevant to both job seekers and young entrepreneurs.
Is there a fixed closing date?
A single closing date is not specified for the overall Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme on the registration platform.
Individual internships, jobs, training opportunities or business-development programmes may have their own deadlines.
Registering early allows you to create your profile and access opportunities as they become available.
How do you register?
Registration is completed through the City of Tshwane’s Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme portal.
Register for the City of Tshwane Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme
The registration portal is specifically for participants aged 18 to 35.
After creating your profile, you can select the programme area relevant to you.
Where can you get help?
The programme is administered through the City of Tshwane’s Economic Development and Spatial Planning environment.
For assistance, the Ithuba portal provides:
Telephone: 012 358 4352/4
Email: ithuba@tshwane.gov.za
