MetroFibre Graduates Seventeen Youth in Skills Initiative
A new cohort of learners has completed a specialised contact centre and business process outsourcing programme.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Internships
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In August 2026, seventeen young South Africans successfully graduated from the latest MetroFibre youth development initiative. This programme provides participants with an NQF Level 3 qualification in contact centre and business process outsourcing support.
Why it matters
The initiative seeks to address the persistent national skills shortage and combat high youth unemployment levels. By targeting unemployed youth and those with disabilities, the programme attempts to create pathways into the formal workforce.
The programme enrolled 19 learners in September 2025, with 17 completing the course as the fourth cohort of the initiative. Nationally, the youth unemployment rate reached 47.4% in the second quarter of 2026.
The players
MetroFibre
This South African company provides fibre-optic internet infrastructure and sponsors the youth development initiative.
Training Force
This organisation serves as a training partner that facilitates the delivery of the skills programme for learners.
The details
MetroFibre funds the training costs and provides a monthly stipend to learners throughout the programme, which is delivered in partnership with Training Force. The initiative includes a focus on individuals living with disabilities, a group currently facing unemployment rates estimated to exceed 90%.
Timeline
September 2025: MetroFibre enrolled 19 learners in the programme.
Q2 2026: South Africa's youth unemployment rate reached 47.4%.
August 2026: Seventeen learners completed the programme.
Market Landscape
The initiative reflects a growing corporate trend of private sector training programmes attempting to bridge the gap left by the national youth unemployment crisis. It positions MetroFibre as an active participant in addressing the systemic skills shortage in South Africa.
The programme offers a path to certification for unemployed youth, providing tangible skills in business process outsourcing. This qualification may assist participants in securing entry-level roles within the competitive South African job market.
The takeaway
This initiative highlights the crucial role of private funding in providing vocational qualifications for marginalised youth. Targeted training remains an essential mechanism for increasing the employability of individuals who face significant barriers to the formal labour market.
Further reading
For broader insights into how companies are developing local talent, visit the Internships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ITWeb.
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