ohannesburg — May 26, 2026 — Microsoft South Africa and the Youth Employment Service (YES) are scaling up their joint initiative to equip young people with digital and artificial intelligence skills, addressing the growing demand for tech capabilities across the labour market.
The programme introduces participants to structured learning pathways, starting with foundational digital literacy and progressing to advanced AI competencies. Designed around employability outcomes, the training links directly to entry‑level digital roles and workplace applications.
Over the past year, more than 70,000 young South Africans have engaged in learning modules, with over 140,000 certification opportunities made available. The initiative combines Microsoft‑curated content with YES delivery mechanisms, ensuring standardized access to digital training regardless of prior experience.
The collaboration responds to South Africa’s high youth unemployment and the rising need for digital skills in services, technology operations, and business support. It was recently recognized with the Tech Impact Award at the Sentech Africa Tech Week in Cape Town, underscoring its role in workforce development tied to digital transformation and AI adoption.
Through the YES × Microsoft AI Skills Initiative, 50,000 young participants are being equipped with globally recognized certifications, reshaping access to opportunities in the digital economy. The partnership reflects Microsoft’s broader commitment to expanding skills development in cloud computing, AI, and digital services, while YES continues to link training with structured employment pathways.
