🤝 What Are NYDA & merSETA?
- NYDA is a government agency established in 2009 to support youth aged 14–35 with skills training, employment, entrepreneurship, and career guidance (Wikipedia).
- merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering & Related Services SETA) focuses on building industry-aligned skills in manufacturing and engineering sectors (learnseta academy).
Purpose of the Partnership
The collaboration aims to address youth unemployment by providing structured, industry-relevant learnerships and training programs. It focuses on the automotive and manufacturing sectors, preparing learners for real work environments and national development plans (learnseta academy).
Key Objectives:
- Offer accredited, hands-on training in fields like car parts sales, marketing, construction trades, and manufacturing.
- Provide NQF-aligned qualifications.
- Increase youth employability and support national economic goals (learnseta academy, Central News).
Learnership Programme: Automotive Sales & Marketing (2025)
Overview:
- Duration: 12 months
- Qualification: NQF Level 4 Certificate in Automotive Car Parts Sales & Marketing
- Focus: Customer service, marketing, inventory management, POS software, plus foundational workplace skills (Central News, Shoshanews Careers, HowMzansi).
Eligibility Requirements:
- South African citizen, aged 18–35
- Unemployed and never previously enrolled in a learnership
- Certified Matric certificate and ID (copies must be less than 6 months old)
- Available for the full duration of the programme (Clean Careers)
Geographic Scope:
- Open to applicants from all nine provinces, including Limpopo, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and more (Shoshanews Careers).
Application Details:
- Closing Date: 22 May 2025 (strict deadline, no late submissions) (Shoshanews Careers).
- How to Apply: Send applications via email to apprenticeship@nyda.gov.za or submit via the NYDA ERP portal (erp.nyda.gov.za/jobs) (Shoshanews Careers).
- Enquiries Contact: Ms Karabo Ntesa or Kelesto Mashweshwe at 087 158 6479 (Shoshanews Careers).
Impact & Broader Initiatives
Positive Results:
- Over 50,000 youth have been trained through the partnership.
- 20,000+ have gained employment opportunities as a direct result.
- Youth in apprenticeship schemes show a ~60% full-time placement rate (learnseta academy).
Broader Initiatives Include:
- Skills training in construction trades like welding, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work.
- Internship/apprenticeship placements with paying employers; many participants transition into permanent jobs.
- Entrepreneurship support: mentoring, funding access, and business development resources for youth-led enterprises in industrial sectors (learnseta academy).
Challenges & Lessons Learned
- Some participants face barriers with basic literacy and numeracy, which hampers training progress.
- Slowdowns in industry or economic downturns can limit placement opportunities.
- Response: The partnership now emphasizes foundational skills and engages more local and private sector employers to broaden access (learnseta academy).
Forward-Looking Developments
- Plans to expand into digital skills, green energy, and other priority sectors.
- Introduction of emerging technology modules like 3D printing and digital design to future-proof training (learnseta academy).
- Aiming for deeper industry partnerships and more robust employer involvement to increase placement pipelines and opportunities for youth across all regions (learnseta academy).
Quick-Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | Automotive Sales & Marketing Learnership |
| Duration & Outcome | 12 months → NQF Level 4 Certificate |
| Eligibility | SA citizen, 18–35, Matric, unemployed |
| Location | All 9 provinces |
| Application Deadline | 22 May 2025 |
| Methods to Apply | Email or ERP Portal |
| Contact for Enquiries | 087 158 6479 |
| Benefits | Skills, certification, job readiness |
| Impact so far | 50K+ trained, 20K+ placed, 60% hire rate |
To Get Started
- Note the deadline: 22 May 2025 (applications closed afterward).
- Prepare certified documents: Matric certificate and ID (under six months old).
- Apply: via email or NYDA ERP portal.
- Seek help if needed: Reach out to the enquiry contacts above or visit a local NYDA office for free career guidance.
Why This Partnership Matters
The NYDA–merSETA initiative goes beyond formal training—it’s about building inclusive opportunities. By offering cost-free, accredited programs with real workplace experience, this partnership empowers youth to enter critical sectors like automotive, construction, and manufacturing. And through entrepreneurship support, it’s creating future business owners, not just employees.
Yncredible change happens when institutions collaborate: this partnership is helping craft brighter futures for young South Africans and strengthening sectors vital to the nation’s growth.
Would you like help exploring other sectors supported by NYDA or find current programmes still open? Just let me know!
Here’s an in‑depth guide exploring how the NYDA (National Youth Development Agency), in partnership with merSETA, is working to empower South Africa’s youth by bridging the skills gap:
What Are NYDA & merSETA?
- NYDA is a government agency established in 2009 to support youth aged 14–35 with skills training, employment, entrepreneurship, and career guidance (Wikipedia).
- merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering & Related Services SETA) focuses on building industry-aligned skills in manufacturing and engineering sectors (learnseta academy).
Purpose of the Partnership
The collaboration aims to address youth unemployment by providing structured, industry-relevant learnerships and training programs. It focuses on the automotive and manufacturing sectors, preparing learners for real work environments and national development plans (learnseta academy).
Key Objectives:
- Offer accredited, hands-on training in fields like car parts sales, marketing, construction trades, and manufacturing.
- Provide NQF-aligned qualifications.
- Increase youth employability and support national economic goals (learnseta academy, Central News).
Learnership Programme: Automotive Sales & Marketing (2025)
Overview:
- Duration: 12 months
- Qualification: NQF Level 4 Certificate in Automotive Car Parts Sales & Marketing
- Focus: Customer service, marketing, inventory management, POS software, plus foundational workplace skills (Central News, Shoshanews Careers, HowMzansi).
Eligibility Requirements:
- South African citizen, aged 18–35
- Unemployed and never previously enrolled in a learnership
- Certified Matric certificate and ID (copies must be less than 6 months old)
- Available for the full duration of the programme (Clean Careers)
Geographic Scope:
- Open to applicants from all nine provinces, including Limpopo, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and more (Shoshanews Careers).
Application Details:
- Closing Date: 22 May 2025 (strict deadline, no late submissions) (Shoshanews Careers).
- How to Apply: Send applications via email to apprenticeship@nyda.gov.za or submit via the NYDA ERP portal (erp.nyda.gov.za/jobs) (Shoshanews Careers).
- Enquiries Contact: Ms Karabo Ntesa or Kelesto Mashweshwe at 087 158 6479 (Shoshanews Careers).
Impact & Broader Initiatives
Positive Results:
- Over 50,000 youth have been trained through the partnership.
- 20,000+ have gained employment opportunities as a direct result.
- Youth in apprenticeship schemes show a ~60% full-time placement rate (learnseta academy).
Broader Initiatives Include:
- Skills training in construction trades like welding, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work.
- Internship/apprenticeship placements with paying employers; many participants transition into permanent jobs.
- Entrepreneurship support: mentoring, funding access, and business development resources for youth-led enterprises in industrial sectors (learnseta academy).
Challenges & Lessons Learned
- Some participants face barriers with basic literacy and numeracy, which hampers training progress.
- Slowdowns in industry or economic downturns can limit placement opportunities.
- Response: The partnership now emphasizes foundational skills and engages more local and private sector employers to broaden access (learnseta academy).
Forward-Looking Developments
- Plans to expand into digital skills, green energy, and other priority sectors.
- Introduction of emerging technology modules like 3D printing and digital design to future-proof training (learnseta academy).
- Aiming for deeper industry partnerships and more robust employer involvement to increase placement pipelines and opportunities for youth across all regions (learnseta academy).
Quick-Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | Automotive Sales & Marketing Learnership |
| Duration & Outcome | 12 months → NQF Level 4 Certificate |
| Eligibility | SA citizen, 18–35, Matric, unemployed |
| Location | All 9 provinces |
| Application Deadline | 22 May 2025 |
| Methods to Apply | Email or ERP Portal |
| Contact for Enquiries | 087 158 6479 |
| Benefits | Skills, certification, job readiness |
| Impact so far | 50K+ trained, 20K+ placed, 60% hire rate |
To Get Started
- Note the deadline: 22 May 2025 (applications closed afterward).
- Prepare certified documents: Matric certificate and ID (under six months old).
- Apply: via email or NYDA ERP portal.
- Seek help if needed: Reach out to the enquiry contacts above or visit a local NYDA office for free career guidance.
Why This Partnership Matters
The NYDA–merSETA initiative goes beyond formal training—it’s about building inclusive opportunities. By offering cost-free, accredited programs with real workplace experience, this partnership empowers youth to enter critical sectors like automotive, construction, and manufacturing. And through entrepreneurship support, it’s creating future business owners, not just employees.
Yncredible change happens when institutions collaborate: this partnership is helping craft brighter futures for young South Africans and strengthening sectors vital to the nation’s growth.
Would you like help exploring other sectors supported by NYDA or find current programmes still open? Just let me know!
