The Cape Flats YMCA has taken a major step towards tackling youth unemployment by launching the Igniting Youth Futures (IYFutures) programme, a global initiative that connects young people with free digital-skills training and real pathways to employment.

What is the IYFutures programme?

IYFutures is driven by the World YMCA as part of its Vision 2030 strategy. Its goal is to help young people gain access to meaningful, future-proof work through support at local, national and global levels. The Cape Flats YMCA is rolling out the programme locally and aims to register 400 unemployed young people between the ages of 17 and 35.

Participants are introduced to the Learning to Earn (L2E) Digital Platform, a free online training portal developed in partnership with Accenture, designed to bring learners closer to employment.

How does the L2E platform work?

Getting started is simple. Young people can access the platform by scanning a QR code or visiting the Learning to Earn Portal directly. Registration is free, and once signed up, learners can begin their studies immediately. There are no deadlines, and the platform can be used on any device.

Learners can either work through courses at their own pace or take an evaluation test that provides personalised course recommendations based on their profile.

What will young people learn?

The platform offers more than 130 short courses, each lasting between one and two hours, across four key areas:

Digital knowledge (20+ courses): Topics include getting started in digital technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, online tools, and digital communication.

Soft skills (60+ courses): Covering communication, teamwork, creativity and innovation, and how to organise your own work.

Technical knowledge (30+ courses): Including programming, graphic design, customer service and sales, and cybersecurity.

Employability (20+ courses): Focused on career guidance, job searching and professional growth.

Course content is delivered through videos, infographics and short learning summaries. Virtual support is also available to help learners with any questions. On completing a course, participants receive a certificate of completion.

Why does this matter?

South Africa continues to face one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world. Programmes such as IYFutures aim to address this by equipping young people with the digital and professional skills sought by employers today. The L2E platform specifically helps users to:

Gain essential digital skills for everyday life and work.

Update their professional profile for the digital job market.

Build personal and social skills.

Develop confidence and a mindset for continuous learning.

Improve their chances of finding employment and advancing their careers.

How to get involved

Young people aged 17 to 35 who are currently unemployed are encouraged to register. To access the L2E platform, scan the QR code on any Cape Flats YMCA poster with your phone’s camera app, or visit the Learning to Earn Portal online. Registration is free of charge.

The Cape Flats YMCA, together with YMCA South Africa and the World YMCA, is committed to making sure that no young person is left behind in an increasingly digital world of work.

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