<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --><h3><strong>Bridging the skills divide gap&nbsp;</strong></h3><!-- /wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><p>Jobs of the future require new skills. However, for millions of young people in South Africa, these skills are hard to come by as countless communities lack access to crucial opportunities, which makes preparing for the new world of work an almost impossible task.&nbsp;</p><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><p>PwC South Africa is helping bridge this gap through our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/upskilling.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New World, New Skills</a>&nbsp;campaign and our multi-year&nbsp;collaboration with UNICEF. Since 2020, we’ve been rolling out&nbsp;meaningful initiatives to upskill young people in communities where the need is greatest.&nbsp;</p><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><p>“Being part of an initiative to bring about change is important to us,” said Dion Shango,&nbsp;PwC Africa Territory Senior Partner.&nbsp;“Our collaborations with UNICEF bring various&nbsp;stakeholders together to help young people build a productive future by acquiring the skills they will need to succeed in the future. We are also leading conversations to understand and ultimately help solve the global skills deficit.”&nbsp;</p><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><p>In line with our global strategy, The New Equation, PwC South Africa is committed to solving important problems, and in so doing, helping create thriving societies that are centred around people who have the skills to drive technology that powers healthy, sustainable economies.&nbsp;</p><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --><h3><strong>Investing in future entrepreneurs</strong></h3><!-- /wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><p>In collaboration with UNICEF, we have been working on a number of different impactful initiatives, including the Mamelodi Business Hub together with the University of Pretoria. The Hub, which was launched on Friday, 13 May 2022, is aimed at investing in future entrepreneurs by providing much needed support and development in local underprivileged communities, and developing women’s leadership skills.</p><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {"align":"center","id":148932,"width":768,"height":431,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --><div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://cover.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_6694-1024x574.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-148932" width="768" height="431"/></figure></div><!-- /wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph --><p>Professor Tawana Kupe, University of Pretoria Vice-Chancellor, described the Hub as “a key catalyst in township revival and enhancement, that’s not only focusing on entrepreneurial development but also on significant social impact via its focused service offerings to an array of communities in the region.”&nbsp;</p><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><p>Shirley Machaba, PwC South Africa CEO, said&nbsp;PwC South Africa is well positioned to make a real impact through such initiatives. “Our societal purpose strategy brings together our community of solvers to deliver sustained outcomes for our clients, our people, and the communities in which we operate,” she said. “That is why UNICEF and PwC have established a bespoke, strategic global collaboration focusing on upskilling youth. This includes eligible young people currently excluded from the workforce, those entering the workforce and those currently in schools, and soon to be the next generation of workers. The collaboration aims to help these young people gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the digital world.”</p><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><p>Youth who attended the launch beamed with the possibilities that now lie ahead for them. Debbie Mdlongwa, who has plans to succeed in the agricultural sector, said that while the&nbsp;process of becoming successful is an uncomfortable procedure, her “main goal is to reach out into communities and teach them what we have been taught at the University.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><p>In line with The New Equation strategy, a diverse team of solvers worked tirelessly to bring this project to life. Marthle du Plessis, PwC South Africa Associate Director and UNICEF campaign lead said it was a privilege for PwC to be a partner on this phenomenal initiative to provide access to the community and bring talent to life. “Initiatives like this are catalysts for positive change where the needs of society are being met,” she said. “I truly believe the Mamelodi Business Hub will enable entrepreneurs to make a difference in South Africa.”&nbsp;</p><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><p>In today’s rapidly changing world, PwC is committed to empowering youth with the skills they’ll need to thrive today and tomorrow. “Bridging the digital divide of a global skills gap is a complex problem that requires all stakeholders to work together and make the world a more resilient, capable and inclusive space,” Shango said.&nbsp;</p><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><p>“We’re proud to be contributing to growth initiatives, and we endeavour to honour our values which are — act with integrity, make a difference, care, work together and reimagine the possible — through our commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen and creating sustainable value in the communities in which we operate,” Machaba said.&nbsp;</p><!-- /wp:paragraph -->