For many young people, the journey to employment does not begin with a job interview.
It begins with access. Access to a computer. Access to practical training. Access to the confidence to apply for opportunities, communicate professionally and participate in a world where almost every career pathway now has a digital entry point.
Recently, the fourth cohort of learners from the Silulo Foundation’s Computer Digital Literacy Course in Du Noon received their certificates, marking an important milestone in their six-month learning journey and bringing the total number of programme graduates to date to 278.
Every Du Noon learner who enrols in the programme receives a bursary from the Astron Energy Development Fund, making the course accessible to unemployed and job-seeking young people in the community. The programme equips learners with the digital skills they need to take their next step towards employment, further education, internships, workplace growth or entrepreneurship.
For these learners, the certificate represents more than course completion. It represents progress, confidence and a stronger foundation for the future. One of the programme’s key achievements is seeing learners move from uncertainty to practical application, using their newly acquired digital skills to improve their employability, pursue further learning opportunities and, in some cases, even start small businesses. Just as importantly, the programme helps learners build confidence in using computers and digital tools in both personal and professional environments.
Bridging the digital divide
Digital literacy is no longer optional.
Whether a young person wants to work in administration, retail, customer service, beauty, hospitality, logistics, sales or start their own small business, basic computer skills are now essential.
The Computer Digital Literacy Course helps bridge this gap through practical, face-to-face training in a supportive classroom environment. Learners are introduced to the foundational skills needed to navigate computers, digital platforms and workplace tools with more confidence.
The course includes practical learning in areas such as end-to-end computing, operating systems, file management, digital communication and work readiness. It also introduces learners to important modern workplace topics, including cybersecurity, safe browsing, data protection, recognising online threats, the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence, ethical considerations, social media use, basic content creation and South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information legislation.
Together, these skills help prepare participants not only to use technology, but to engage with it responsibly, professionally and with purpose.
More than computer training
At the Silulo Foundation, skills development is never viewed in isolation.
The six-month Computer Digital Literacy programme is designed to support the whole learner by exposing participants to additional knowledge, practical experiences and industry-relevant opportunities that strengthen their readiness for the world of work.
Alongside digital literacy, learners are introduced to short courses and workshops focused on areas such as work readiness, financial literacy and selected industry-specific learning opportunities. These are offered in close collaboration with partners, industry contributors and past entrepreneurs from the Silulo Foundation ecosystem.
One such example is Carmelita Shaw, owner of Wundalash and a past entrepreneur in the Silulo Foundation ecosystem. As an accredited beauty trainer, Carmelita introduced female learners to practical opportunities within the beauty industry through a short skills-based course. The session exposed learners to basic lash and nail technician skills, offering them an additional pathway to income generation, self-employment or future industry-specific training.
Another example is the partner-led financial literacy course offered by ABSA, which helped learners understand budgeting, money management, banking and the practical financial knowledge needed to participate more confidently in the economy.
This wider ecosystem of learning helps ensure that participants are not only digitally trained but better prepared for real-world opportunities.
Partnership that creates pathways
The support of the Astron Energy Development Fund makes this programme possible by removing one of the biggest barriers to access: cost.
For unemployed and job-seeking youth in Du Noon, a full bursary creates a meaningful opportunity to learn, grow and prepare for a future that may otherwise feel out of reach.
This is the power of partnership.
When funders, training organisations, community partners and industry stakeholders work together, learning becomes more than a classroom activity. It becomes a bridge between potential and participation.
From certificate to opportunity
At Silulo Foundation, we believe that development is not only about training people. It is about unlocking confidence.
It is about helping a young person prepare a CV, send a professional email, understand online safety, build a digital presence and walk into the workplace with greater self-belief.
For some participants, this course may open the door to employment. For others, it may support further study, an internship or a promotion. For future entrepreneurs, it may become the foundation for managing a small business, communicating with customers, creating content and accessing markets online.
The certificate is therefore not the end of the journey.
It is the beginning of a new one.
As the Computer Digital Literacy Course continues in Du Noon, the Silulo Foundation invites employers, funders, training providers and ecosystem partners to support the next steps for these young people through internships, workplace exposure, mentoring, industry-specific learning and employment pathways.
Because when young people are given access to the right skills, the right support and the right opportunities, they do more than learn.
They begin to build a future.
Visit https://silulofoundation.org/digital-computer/ for more information about the programme, or email us at [email protected] to explore how you can get involved as a partner, mentor, employer or supporter.
Be the difference-maker. Help turn youth unemployment into youth opportunity.
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