New initiative aims to tackle graduate unemployment by equipping young South Africans with practical workplace skills, professional networks and direct employer connections
For thousands of South African graduates, receiving a degree should mark the beginning of a promising career journey. Yet for many, it instead signals the start of a frustrating search for employment in an increasingly competitive job market.
While obtaining a qualification remains a significant achievement, a growing number of graduates are finding that academic success alone is not always enough to secure meaningful work opportunities.
In response to this challenge, a new initiative is stepping forward with a practical solution.
The inaugural ACCESS70 Workplace Launchpad Boot Camp will take place in Johannesburg from 19 to 26 June 2026, offering tertiary graduates a unique opportunity to prepare for the realities of the modern workplace at absolutely no cost.
Designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, the programme aims to equip young South Africans with the skills, confidence, networks and industry exposure needed to improve their chances of securing sustainable employment.
A Vision Born from South Africa’s Employment Challenge
ACCESS70 was established under the leadership of Israel Noko, Founder and CEO of NPI Governance Solutions, a specialist B-BBEE and compliance advisory firm.
For Noko, the initiative is more than a training programme—it is a long-term response to one of South Africa’s most pressing socioeconomic challenges.
“This has been a long-term vision of mine,” explains Noko.
“The number of graduates leaving university and remaining unemployed is increasing. It’s currently at over 12%, which amounts to more than 24,000 young people who leave university with a degree each year but cannot find work.”
He believes the challenge often lies not in the absence of opportunities but in access to them.
“Often the issue is not that positions are not available, but that graduates do not have access to the opportunities. In the gig economy, ACCESS70 is designed to bridge the gap between higher education and employment.”
Importantly, the programme has been designed to be fully accessible.
By offering the boot camp free of charge, ACCESS70 removes financial barriers that may prevent talented graduates from participating in career development opportunities.
Preparing Graduates for the Realities of Work
Unlike traditional job-readiness programmes that focus solely on CV writing or interview preparation, ACCESS70 has been carefully developed in collaboration with graduates, industry leaders and corporate partners to provide a more comprehensive workplace readiness experience.
The week-long programme focuses on what success in the workplace actually looks like and how graduates can position themselves for long-term career growth.
Participants will engage in workplace simulations, practical exercises, mentorship opportunities, networking sessions and direct engagement with employers.
The curriculum covers critical professional skills including:
• Professional communication
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Personal branding
• Interview preparation
• Workplace etiquette
• Career development strategies
Graduates will also gain exposure to industry leaders and potential employers, creating opportunities to build valuable professional relationships and expand their networks.
Focusing on Critical Skills Shortage Sectors
ACCESS70 has intentionally aligned its programme with industries where South Africa faces ongoing skills shortages.
These include:
• Digital and Information Technology
• Financial Services
• Marketing and Sales
• Supply Chain and Logistics
• Engineering
By targeting sectors where demand for skilled professionals remains high, the programme seeks to improve employment outcomes while simultaneously contributing to broader economic development.
Building Confidence Alongside Competence
Beyond technical and professional skills, ACCESS70 places significant emphasis on personal development.
Noko believes confidence and attitude are often overlooked components of employability.
Prolonged unemployment can erode self-belief, making it increasingly difficult for young people to present themselves positively during recruitment processes.
“Losing hope can be a consequence of prolonged unemployment, but attitude remains one of the most important factors in determining how far you will go,” says Noko.
“Employers look beyond academic achievements for graduates who are adaptable, resilient, eager to learn and committed to contributing positively in the workplace, making this aspect a vital part of the training.”
The programme therefore seeks to nurture not only workplace competence but also the mindset required to navigate a dynamic and evolving employment landscape.
Support Beyond the Classroom
One of the distinguishing features of ACCESS70 is its commitment to supporting participants beyond the boot camp itself.
Rather than ending after seven days of training, the programme includes ongoing employer matching, placement support and career monitoring.
“ACCESS70 doesn’t end with the boot camp,” explains Noko.
“The programme includes employer matching and placement support after training as well as ongoing career monitoring that’s aimed at sustained employment rather than just job placement. We’re in this to make a difference – to the unemployment crisis and to young lives.”
This long-term approach reflects a growing recognition that sustainable employment outcomes require continued support beyond initial training interventions.
Searching for South Africa’s Future Leaders
ACCESS70 is seeking graduates who are prepared to fully commit to the programme and embrace opportunities for growth.
Selection criteria have been carefully developed to identify participants who demonstrate ambition, creativity, discipline and a genuine desire to build successful careers.
“We’re looking for graduates who are ready to give the programme 110%, for creatives who can turn ideas into useful solutions, for future leaders who are serious and willing to be stretched and for those with discipline and an appetite for opportunity,” says Noko.
Applications are open to graduates between the ages of 18 and 35 who are eager to develop their professional potential and take the next step toward meaningful employment.
Investing in South Africa’s Future Workforce
As graduate unemployment continues to impact thousands of young South Africans each year, initiatives such as ACCESS70 represent a practical and hopeful response to a complex challenge.
By connecting education with industry, building workplace confidence and creating direct pathways to employment, the programme aims to transform qualifications into opportunities and potential into sustainable careers.
For many graduates, the journey to employment can feel uncertain. ACCESS70 is working to ensure that the transition from classroom to career becomes a pathway filled with possibility rather than frustration.
Applications for the first ACCESS70 Workplace Launchpad Boot Camp are now open through the official ACCESS70 website.
