• No, a matric certificate is not required. However, the beneficiary must successfully complete a knowledge assessment aligned with SFIA Level 2, covering at least six relevant skills for the job role they are training for. This assessment must be completed before enrolling in the work-integrated learning programme. 
  • The programme is open to all demographics. Beneficiaries must meet the following criteria: 
    • South African citizens.
    • Unemployed youth (currently unemployed or not been in ongoing employment for more than 6 months).
    • Between ages 18 and 34 at date of enrolment.
  • The employer and training provider should decide which type of programme (learnership, apprenticeship, internship, other) works best for their needs and those of the beneficiaries.
  • Whichever programme is chosen should incorporate six months of work-integrated learning. 
  • The Collective X has adopted the following definition of work-integrated learning from The Routledge International Handbook of Work-Integrated Learning (2023): 

An educational approach involving three parties – the learner, educational institution, and an external stakeholder – consisting of authentic work-focused experiences as an intentional component of the curriculum. Learners learn through active engagement in purposeful work tasks, which enables the integration of theory with meaningful practice that is relevant to the learners’ discipline of study and/or professional development.

  • The programme is demand-led and Collective X will only co-fund beneficiaries who have committed employment opportunities before the commencement of training. For this reason, a training provider must partner with an employer to participate.
  • Yes, the training intervention must align with SFIA Level 3 standards. This ensures that the participants develop the appropriate level of responsibility, autonomy, and technical skills necessary for the job role they are being trained for. 

Please refer to the answer below on detailed SFIA support offered by Collective X. 

  • Collective X training providers must undergo a two-part due diligence process:
    • Due Diligence Part 1: This section covers:
      • The job roles and role families your training programmes support.
      • Training modalities, location of facilities, and training capacity.
      • Accreditation details (if applicable), work-integrated learning models, and alignment with SFIA.
      • The types of learning agreements you use, such as internships or learnerships. Note: This section must be completed for each role you support.
    • Due Diligence Part 2: This section captures additional company details, including:
      • Inclusivity in your training programmes.
      • M&E and reporting capabilities.
      • Track record and key achievements.


The portal has all this detail, guidelines and processes to follow to submit all the information for parts 1 and 2. 

  • Collective X offers comprehensive support to assist training providers with SFIA alignment:
    • Collective X has published an overview of the SFIA framework on our website for your reference.
    • We will host a briefing session with your team to explain the SFIA framework and how it should be applied in this programme.
    • After the briefing, you will submit your programme to Skills TX (our SFIA assessment partner) for review and feedback, ensuring your instructional design aligns with the target SFIA outcomes.
    • Collective X will facilitate an onboarding session for your team to the Skills TX platform and provide training materials and user guides.
    • You will be equipped to conduct baseline skills assessments and assess beneficiaries’ knowledge, while Skills TX will conduct the final SFIA Level 3 assessment at the end of the work-integrated learning (WIL) programme.
  • This ensures that training providers are well-supported in aligning with SFIA and can effectively measure competencies throughout the programme.

 

  • While we strongly encourage inclusion and support initiatives that foster entrepreneurship, there are no specific incentives for employers promoting self-employment or supporting learners who establish their own SMME entities in this current round of co-funding. However, employers can still play a pivotal role by providing coaching, mentorship, and other non-financial support to learners, which contributes significantly to their entrepreneurial success. The only direct incentives at this stage are for employers who contract female learners and people with disabilities.
  • We encourage employers to actively participate in the development of entrepreneurial skills and self-employment pathways, as this has a meaningful impact on both the learners and broader economic growth.
  • Yes, if intermediaries apply, employer partners must be onboarded directly with Collective X. Here’s how the process works:
    • The intermediary will go through the onboarding process and complete the co-funding application on behalf of the employer partners, covering the aggregate demand.
    • Once the allocation to the intermediary is approved, each employer partner will need to onboard with Collective X. They will also undergo an institutional due diligence check conducted by Experian, with the employer’s consent.
    • After onboarding, Collective X and Bonds4Jobs will contract directly with each employer partner. The employer will be responsible for submitting evidence at each milestone and will receive the corresponding disbursements.
  • This ensures clear accountability, with employers directly managing their deliverables and receiving funding based on their performance.
  • Yes, a single entity can assume both roles of training provider and employer. Both the employer and training provider will need to onboard with Collective X and undergo an institutional due diligence check conducted by Experian, with the employer’s consent.
  • Additionally, the training provider will undergo a technical assessment to ensure they can effectively implement the work-integrated learning programme and align it with SFIA standards.
  • After onboarding, Collective X and Bonds4Jobs will contract directly with the employer. The employer will then establish a separate agreement with its sister company to deliver the training.
  • To effectively share insights from the ground level, it’s important to establish a collaborative approach that supports both your and our initiatives. Here are some approaches to consider: 
    • Conduct regular feedback sessions or surveys with learners and community leaders to understand their challenges and needs. Share these with us. We will use these insights to provide tailored advice on how best to engage with our initiatives.
    • Collect qualitative and quantitative data on participation rates, learner progression, and barriers such as access to technology. We will analyse this data to identify gaps and share actionable recommendations with service providers, ensuring they are not solely responsible for addressing these challenges.
    • When sharing insights, we will frame them within the broader ecosystem context, highlighting specific realities in marginalised communities. This approach should help us, and other stakeholders understand the unique challenges and opportunities for collaboration.
  • Yes, we recommend that the employer partner applies while both parties onboard with Collective X. The academy should also undergo a technical assessment during this process.
  • This approach will help us identify the gaps the academy needs to address in order to achieve compliance and provide guidance to support them in this process.
  • Meanwhile, the employer partner will be eligible to receive an allocation. However, contracting with the employer partner will only take place once the academy has achieved compliance.

Gavin Atkinson

Gavin Atkinson brings over 30 years of experience in the Global Business Services (GBS) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industries to The Collective X. Gavin has dedicated his career to people development and co-creating lasting solutions that add value to organisations. At The Collective X, he plays a crucial role in building the demand pipeline and advancing our ambitious goals of scaling digital jobs in South Africa.

Ziaad Suleman

Chief Commercial Officer, EOH

Ziaad is the Chief Commercial Officer and Member of Exco at EOH, one of the largest technology services companies in Africa, where he is responsible for the overall go-to-market proposition, which includes sales, consulting, channel and OEMs, commercial constructs, investments, solutioning and marketing, as well as the Software Technology Business.

Ziaad is a notable figure in the ICT space. He chairs the South African branch of 4IR on BRICS and leads the ICT 4IR Public Private Growth Initiative (PPGI) Business Advisory Group, advising the President. His passion for community upliftment is evident through his roles as the independent non-executive chair of Qode, chair of the Parktown Girls Governing Body, non-executive Director of Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa, and Executive Member of D1GIT NPO.

Ziaad holds a postgraduate honours degree in Law with distinction from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and an MDP Business Management degree with distinction from the GIBS

Vukani Mngxati

CEO, Accenture Africa

Vukani is the CEO of Accenture Africa, a role that showcases his extensive consulting experience and deep understanding of local markets on the continent. He has dedicated over two decades to leveraging his technical expertise and business acumen to deliver impactful digital solutions for both public and private sector clients. 

In 2019, Vukani was appointed Commissioner for the Presidential Commission on the 4th Industrial Revolution. This role underscores his commitment to advancing digital technologies.

Vukani is deeply invested in assisting clients to achieve the agility needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced environment. He is a strong advocate for the adoption of emerging digital technologies, believing that these are not just tools for improving service delivery and financial performance but also pivotal in nation-building across the African continent. 

He holds a BCom degree in Business Information Systems and Accounting from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Pieter de Villiers

Co-founder and CEO, Clickatell

Pieter is the co-founder and CEO of Clickatell, a frontrunner in the chat commerce space and the first African company to receive backing from American venture capital firm Sequoia Capital. Under Pieter’s leadership, Clickatell has flourished into a global company with operations spanning multiple continents. 

Pieter has over 23 years of experience in global telecoms, mobile messaging, and mobile payments, 10 of which he spent in Silicon Valley. Apart from his corporate achievements, Pieter is deeply invested in fostering entrepreneurship as a catalyst for economic and job growth. He is a business mentor for Endeavour and the founder and chairman of SiMODiSA, an organisation focused on accelerating start-up success for South African entrepreneurs. He is also committed to enhancing digital skills in Africa, which he views as a more significant opportunity than mining or agriculture. 

Pieter has been recognised for his exceptional leadership and contributions to the mobile industry by numerous industry organisations and publications, including Global Technology Business (GTB), which named him one of its “top 40 under 40” executives in 2011, and the San Jose Business Journal, which awarded him its Social Economic Impact Award in 2012. 

Nicola Galombik

Executive Director, Yellowwoods Holdings

Nicola is a business leader and social innovator, driving multi-sector partnerships for systems change and inclusive economic participation.

As Executive Director of Yellowwoods Holdings she leads the investment group’s efforts to drive inclusive and sustainable growth through, and with, its portfolio of businesses. She also leads Yellowwoods’ social innovation hub, impact financing and grant-making. 

Under her leadership, Yellowwoods has incubated a portfolio of African social enterprises, including the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator. Other impact focus areas include Impact Sourcing, Inclusive Carbon initiatives and Early Childhood Development.

She is currently active on numerous private sector and social sector boards, a member of the South African Presidential and Ministerial advisory on youth employment and digital skills, and a member of the advisory board of the Africa Leadership Group, the Aspen Global Leadership Network, and a McNulty Prize laureate. She won the Skoll Award in 2019 and the World Economic Forum/Schwab Foundation award for Corporate Social Intrapreneurship in 2020.

Nicola was a Fulbright Scholar and holds a bachelor’s degree in Film, Politics and Psychology from Wits University and a master’s degree in Cinema and Media Studies from New York University. She has also completed the  Leadership for Systems Change programme at Harvard.

Evan Jones

CEO, The Collective X

Evan is the CEO of The Collective X, bringing together leaders of industry to address the critical shortage of digital skills in South Africa.

Evan is leading the charge as the initiative sets to double South Africa’s output of high-demand digital jobs in the next three years while simultaneously enhancing youth digital skills, boosting employment and injecting a substantial R300 billion into the economy.

Evan was previously the Strategy Director of Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, where he managed portfolios ranging from digital strategy, new market development, and Harambee’s leadership in priority sectors like globally transacted services. 

He joined Harambee from Webhelp South Africa, a French/UK-based global operator, where he served as COO to rapidly scale the organisation’s South African operations to nearly 2,000 staff. Previously, Evan worked at Discovery Health to transition their North American operation, at TalkTalk (Carphone Warehouse) to manage their contact centre outsourced relationships covering 3,500 staff; and as Director of Operations for Merchants South Africa, managing large-scale outsourced operations across various verticals and geographies. 

Evan also served as chairman of BPESA from Nov 2018 to Oct 2021.

Mteto Nyati

Executive Chairman, BSG

Mteto is the Executive Chairman of BSG, a prominent consulting and technology company focused on strategy execution. He is the chairman of the board of The Collective X. His extensive leadership experience has included roles as Group Chief Executive of Altron, CEO of MTN South Africa, and Managing Director of Microsoft South Africa. He also served in various leadership positions at IBM over a 12-year tenure in South Africa and Europe. Mteto’s exceptional leadership has garnered recognition, winning the EY World Entrepreneur Award Southern Africa in 2021 and CNBC Africa’s All Africa Business Leaders Awards’ Business Leader of the Year in 2019.

Aside from corporate success, Mteto authored the best-selling autobiography “Betting on a Darkie,” recounting his journey from a shopkeeper’s son to a respected business leader. Committed to mentorship, he guides executives, CEOs, and emerging professionals. In 2021, the University of Johannesburg awarded him an honorary doctorate for his contributions to IT Management. Mteto, a World Fellow at Yale University in 2004, holds a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of KwaZulu Natal, reflecting the technical foundation underpinning his business achievements.

Samantha Chetty

Samantha is the Finance Executive for Funder Management at The Collective X. With 28 years of financial experience, 17 of which are in non-profit organisations, she has expertise in both national and international fund/grants management, stakeholder management across government and private sector, as well as establishing and designing financial systems for complex funder reporting, as well as building and capacitating all internal teams and external partners. Samantha holds a Masters in Business Administration from Regenesys Business School of South Africa.

Pontso Ntseuoa

Pontso is responsible for University Engagements at The Collective X, bringing over 20 years of diverse experience in both corporate and entrepreneurial settings. She has worked in a number of industries, including development funding, renewable energy, telecoms, and business consulting. Her previous roles include significant contributions at the Industrial Development Corporation and co-founding U-Network Telecoms (UNTEL). She holds a Masters in Digital Business and International Business and Entrepreneurship, amongst other qualifications.

Nkululeko Gama CA (SA)

As the Financial Accountant for The Collective X, Nkululeko plays a key role in maintaining the financial integrity and operational efficiency of the organisation. His responsibilities include assisting with the drafting of business cycle policies, handling various aspects of contracting, processing accounting transactions, reviewing accounting journals, and compiling management accounts. Nkululeko is a chartered accountant registered with SAICA.

Lebohang Mosikili

Lebo’s adept communication and problem-solving abilities contribute to the efficient functioning of the entire team. In the dynamic tech landscape, Lebo is the indispensable force behind the efficiency, and smooth-running, of The Collective X’s operations.

Jennifer Kann

As the Marketing and Communications Lead for The Collective X, Jennifer brings a wealth of experience from her 25-year career in the field. Beginning her journey as a journalist, she quickly transitioned into a corporate communications specialist. For the last 12 years, her focus has been dedicated to youth employment and related issues, highlighting her commitment to making a meaningful impact in this crucial area.

Hina Soni

Hina is the Programme Manager for The Collective X and plays a pivotal role in driving and enabling technology platforms for the mobilisation of organisation. Her focus extends to partnerships and solutions, which help bridge the digital skills gap and grow the talent pipeline in South Africa. With her qualifications and extensive experience in management consulting, she has worked across industries to deliver customer strategies and innovative technology platforms.

Fran Swart

As the head of Partnerships and Strategic Client Engagements at The Collective X, Fran is deeply invested in addressing unemployment in South Africa. Her role involves creating impactful solutions to bridge the digital skills gap in the country. Through her work, Fran has contributed to the establishment of a national digital skills initiative, coordinating efforts to deliver essential digital skills efficiently and effectively.

Dianne Woodward

With a Bachelor of Commerce degree and over 35 years of experience in human capital management and management consulting, Dianne plays a pivotal role as the System’s Architect leading the establishment and mobilisation of The Collective X. Her extensive background and expertise are instrumental in driving the organisation’s initiatives and growth.

Deidre Samson

Deidre is the Executive for Insights & Strategic Supply Side Partnerships for The Collective X. She brings a rich background in corporate marketing, strategy and innovation, fostered through her experiences in private banking and at a leading multinational alcoholic beverage company. She is a member of several expert panels, including the United Nations Development Programme and Interpol, and also contributes as a faculty member at the University of Stellenbosch and the University of Free State’s MBA Programme.

Evan Jones

Evan is the CEO, and member of the board, of The Collective X and leading the charge as the initiative sets to double South Africa’s output of high-demand digital jobs in the next three years while simultaneously enhancing youth digital skills, boosting employment and injecting a substantial R300 billion into the economy.

Charity Phakathi

Charity serves as the Finance Executive for The Collective X. Her responsibilities include overseeing Opex and Sustainability, Governance policies, Financial Modeling, Legal and Contracting, as well as preparing Annual Financial Statements for the entity. She has 30 years of experience in finance, primarily in the corporate and banking sectors. Charity is a Wits Alumni with various qualifications in Financial Accounting and Tax.

Andy Searle

With a rich history in the Global Business Services (GBS) sector, Andy is the founder of Paladin Consulting and former CEO of industry body BPESA (2017-2022). He’s been a part of The Collective X team since 2022, focusing on government relations and fostering partnerships for digital skills development.

Tim Andrews

Tim focuses on Partner Enablement and Funding Innovation at The Collective X, leading initiatives to bridge the digital skills gaps in South Africa. He has worked in corporate finance and private equity and also founded a technology business, taking Google’s Enterprise and cloud solutions to market as a premier partner in South Africa. Tim holds an Honours degree in Investment Management from the University of Johannesburg.