2 November 2026

Building pathways to opportunity

By College SA

Building pathways to opportunity: Why adult learning matters in South Africa’s employment response

As South Africa seeks to expand employment opportunities, accessible adult education and skills development can help more young people and adults overcome barriers, gain recognised qualifications, and prepare for a changing world of work. College SA, part of the Optimi Group, supports this effort through learning opportunities that connect education with personal development and work opportunities.

Education as part of the solution

South Africa’s response to youth unemployment must extend beyond job creation to include accessible education and skills development that help people prepare for work and the future. While entrepreneurship and economic growth remain essential, access to learning is equally important in enabling young people and adults to build the qualifications and practical skills needed to progress. Those who have not completed matric may face barriers to further study, certain job opportunities, and training programmes, while adults who have been out of formal education for years may need a second chance to complete their schooling or develop new workplace skills.

Stefan Botha, CEO of Optimi Group, says the latest unemployment figures should be viewed not only as a  warning about the job market, but as an opportunity to make it easier for people to access trusted, recognised education and training that prepares them for work. This is particularly important for young people who are not in work, education, or training, many of whom remain disconnected from the support and learning opportunities that could help them prepare for future opportunities.

Making adult learning accessible

These needs highlight the importance of adult learning options that combine learning support with recognised qualifications. College SA, part of the Optimi Group, supports adult learners through Adult Matric, accredited qualifications, short courses, and workplace training. Botha emphasises that adult education should be treated as a key part of South Africa’s response to unemployment, rather than a secondary option.

The importance of these opportunities is reinforced by the relationship between education levels and job opportunities. Statistics South Africa’s Q2 2026 data show that people without matric had an unemployment rate of 39.2%, compared with 12.4% among graduates — around three times higher. While a qualification does not guarantee employment, these figures highlight the value of helping people build their education and improve their chances of finding work. “The danger is that unemployment becomes normalised,” stresses Stefan Botha. “We cannot allow young people to believe that there is no route forward. Even when the economy is under pressure, there must be visible, practical, and trusted pathways that help people keep building towards something.”

Building skills for the future

Through its range of learning opportunities, College SA aims to make education more accessible to people at different stages of their lives. Online learning options allow learners to pursue their studies while managing work, family responsibilities, and other commitments. This approach recognises that returning to education as an adult often requires study options that fit around existing responsibilities, alongside the guidance and support needed to succeed.

Adult Education and Training (AET), provided by Optimi Workplace (Pty) Ltd under the College SA brand and trademark, helps individuals strengthen basic skills such as reading, writing, maths, and everyday life skills. These programmes support continued learning and workplace development, giving adults opportunities to build confidence, improve their skills and work towards their personal and professional goals. Through workplace training, College SA also supports employers seeking to invest in their employees’ development, showing how businesses can help build a skilled workforce that can adapt to change.

Renewed opportunities through Adult Matric

For adults who did not complete school, College SA’s Adult Matric programme offers an opportunity to work towards the Amended Senior Certificate (ASC). Available to eligible learners aged 21 and older, the programme combines distance learning with academic support and exam preparation. The qualification can help learners continue their studies and improve their job opportunities. By creating a clear route back into education, Adult Matric enables adults to revisit their ambitions and take meaningful steps towards achieving them.

Investing in lifelong learning

Ultimately, expanding access to education requires a shared commitment from education providers, employers, and policymakers. As industries evolve and workplace requirements change, lifelong learning can help people continue to build their skills and adapt to new opportunities. Botha underscores the lasting value of this investment in people and their potential.

“Every person who returns to learning is making an investment in their future,” explains Stefan Botha. “Our responsibility as education providers, employers and policymakers is to make sure those pathways are credible, supported and connected to opportunity. That is how education can help people move from where they are now to where they want to be.”

Addressing South Africa’s unemployment challenge requires a combined effort that connects economic growth and job creation with accessible education and relevant skills development. By helping young people and adults complete their schooling, gain recognised qualifications and build workplace skills, adult learning can form an important part of that response. Through supported learning options, College SA and Optimi Group are contributing to a future in which more South Africans can continue learning, improve their chances of finding work and move closer to meaningful opportunities.