Intellehub turns skills development levy into a cybersecurity training opportunity for unemployed youth

At a time when nearly one in two young South Africans participating in the labour market cannot find work, technology company Intellehub is transforming skills-development funding into a practical training opportunity for 25 unemployed young people.

Transforming the skills development levy into opportunity The company has secured a discretionary grant from the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) to offer unemployed South Africans a fully funded opportunity to complete the Cybersecurity Defender NQF Level 4 skills programme.

The three-month programme, which commenced on 14 September, will equip participants with 60 credits towards their skills development while receiving a monthly stipend of R1,800. Delivered by Intellehub's QCTO-accredited Training Academy in Centurion, the programme is aimed at unemployed young people aged between 18 and 35 who meet the entry requirements.

A skills crisis alongside a jobs crisis The initiative comes as South Africa's youth unemployment crisis continues to deepen. According to Statistics South Africa's latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, the unemployment rate among 15- to 34-year-olds rose to 47.4% in the second quarter of 2026, with approximately five million young people unemployed.

At the same time, South Africa has an established mechanism for directing money into skills development. Employers with annual remuneration above R500,000 are generally liable for a Skills Development Levy of 1% of their payroll, with the money channelled through the country's skills-development system.

MICT SETA's discretionary grants support skills development in scarce and critical skills and aim to improve the supply of qualified people to the sector. For Intellehub, the programme is an example of what can happen when employers actively participate in that system.

"As an ICT company, and a skills development levy payer to MICT SETA, it made sense for us to explore how we could leverage the system to create meaningful opportunities for unemployed young people," says John Molefe, ETQA Manager at Intellehub. "This is our first funded programme since becoming part of MICT SETA, and securing the discretionary funding represents a significant milestone for our organisation. More importantly, however, our success will be measured by what happens to these young people after they successfully complete the programme."

More than a cybersecurity course The Cybersecurity Defender skills programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical training, equipping learners with globally relevant cybersecurity skills while enhancing their employability in one of the world's fastest-growing industries. According to Molefe, learners who want to specialise further can use the programme as a stepping stone towards a range of ICT occupational qualifications at NQF level 5 and above, providing a clear pathway for further learning, professional development and career progression

Intellehub is also exploring opportunities to provide learners with the exposure to real-world cybersecurity environments through its technology partners, broadening their understanding of the industry and the range of learning and career pathways within the cybersecurity sector.

Taking cyber skills into the community The programme also serves a broader purpose. As more individuals and small businesses move their activities online, cybersecurity awareness and skills are becoming increasingly important beyond specialist IT roles. "You don't have to become a cybersecurity specialist for this knowledge to be valuable," says Molefe. "You need to be able to recognise phishing attempts, scams and other cyber threats, whether you're protecting a business, your family or yourself. Learners can take this knowledge back into their communities to help build greater resilience."

The programme will run until December, with Intellehub working with the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) on the relevant quality-assurance and certification processes..

About Intellehub ​​Intellehub is a trusted ICT solutions partner with a national footprint across South Africa. Founded in 2013, the company follows a design, build and operate model to deliver advisory, innovative technology, managed services, and people solutions that drive impact, scale, and compliance. Certified Level 1 BBBEE, ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001, Intellehub partners with global OEM leaders to ensure reliable delivery. Its portfolio spans Enterprise Architecture, development of innovative technology solutions covering business intelligence, cloud, AI/ML, IoT, IT & Cyber security, industrial automation, modern workplace and human capital development, supporting government and enterprise clients nationwide. For more information, visit https://intellehubsa.com/

Issued by: Michelle Oelschig, Scarlet Letter Contact details: 083-636-1766, michelle@scarletletter.co.za