UJ leads EU-backed project to build future-ready job creators

As South Africa faces persistently high youth unemployment and rapid shifts in the world of work, the University of Johannesburg (UJ), through its Johannesburg Business School (JBS), is rethinking how higher education prepares graduates for life beyond the classroom. TheAddressing Future Jobs (AFJ) Through Entrepreneurial Skills Development and Work-Integrated Learningproject has secured a €400 000 (approximately R8.1 million) grant from the Erasmus+ Programme. Rachel Khoza (JBS), Dr Chante Botha (JBS), and Dr Varaidzo Denhere (JBS), the project aims to equip young people with entrepreneurial skills and hands-on workplace experience to succeed in an evolving economy.

“This project goes beyond theory,” says Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, Vice-Chancellor, UJ. “It is about empowering our students with the confidence, skills, and experience to compete and thrive in the real economy.” He adds that the initiative aligns closely with UJ’s long-termUJ 2035strategy, reflecting a strategic shift towards entrepreneurial skills development and work-integrated learning that prepares graduates not only to be employable but also to drive innovation and deliver meaningful societal impact. The AFJ project responds to growing global and local evidence that traditional classroom-based teaching alone no longer equips graduates with the practical skills demanded by today’s labour market.

Employers increasingly seek professionals who can apply knowledge in real-world settings, adapt quickly and think entrepreneurially. In South Africa’s context of persistent youth unemployment, this approach offers a timely and practical intervention. According to Professor Alistair Mokoena, executive dean of the Johannesburg Business School (JBS) and project lead, the initiative represents both an institutional responsibility and a long-term investment in young people. “South Africa’s youth have enormous potential, yet too many complete their studies without the tools required to navigate the workplace or launch sustainable ventures,” he says.