McDonald’s South Africa (MSA), in collaboration with the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA), is proud to celebrate the graduation of 676 young South Africans who have successfully completed a Learnership Programme.
This milestone forms part of a broader effort to address youth unemployment by equipping young people with valuable, job-ready skills. The learnership aligns with CATHSSETA’s High Impact Programme, which aims to empower unemployed individuals with industry-specific training, improving their chances of securing long-term employment within the hospitality and tourism sectors.
“This initiative is a clear demonstration of how co-investment between the private sector and public sector supported by CATHSSETA’s oversight and quality assurance, can create measurable and lasting outcomes for young people. This model is proof that collaboration between industry and public institutions can produce credible and scalable responses to youth unemployment,” Marks Thibela, CATHSSETA CEO.
CATHSSETA is deliberate in creating sustainable opportunities for the young people of South Africa. With this project, they entered into a partnership which would ensure secure employment for 80% of learners who completed the one-year programme.
CATHSSETA is one of 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) established under the Skills Development Act (No. 97 of 1998) and plays a vital role in implementing the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) 2030. The authority focuses on the following sub-sectors:
- Arts, Culture, and Heritage
- Conservation
- Gaming and Lotteries
- Hospitality
- Sport, Recreation, and Fitness
- Tourism and Travel Services
Speaking at the graduation event, Dr Masia highlighted the programme’s impressive outcomes, “Of the 1,400 learners trained, 476 have been permanently absorbed into McDonald’s South Africa. Around 658 exited the programme for reasons such as pursuing careers in their chosen fields, while roughly 200 declined job offers from McDonald’s. Importantly, over 75% of those no longer in the programme are now employed full-time in the industry, with 1.5% having ventured into self-employment. This programme has proven to be a meaningful intervention in bridging the gap between unemployment and sustainable employment and even fostering entrepreneurship.”
Dr Masia also acknowledged the logistical and operational efforts taken to ensure inclusivity, “We made sure to reach every graduate, even those who were not absorbed through mobile communications, our regional HR business partners, and operations teams. For today’s ceremony, we are covering three provinces, Limpopo, Gauteng and NW and providing transportation for learners from these provinces. Two more graduation events are planned in provinces outside Gauteng.”
“To those who couldn’t be with us today, we urge you to arrange to collect your certificates. They represent more than a qualification; they are a symbol of perseverance and progress,” said Dr Masia.
Continuous skills development remains a cornerstone of economic transformation in South Africa. By equipping youth with in-demand skills and real-world experience, programmes like this one contribute meaningfully to national efforts to combat unemployment. The programme partnered with reputable training providers like Training Force, also utilised the McDonald’s SA Hamburger University, a global centre of excellence in restaurant operations training. Through this partnership, the programme delivered high-quality, practical training focused on service excellence, cleanliness, quality, and value. These are skills that not only benefit McDonald’s but the hospitality industry at large.
This collaborative effort between CATHSSETA and McDonald’s is more than just a graduation celebration; it is a celebration of opportunity, growth, and the power of public and private sector partnerships to transform lives.
“This programme has brought hope to individuals, restored dignity to families, and reignited pride within communities. For many, it has done more than provide a job, it has given them a voice, a sense of purpose, and a place in South Africa’s evolving economy. These are the kinds of projects that reclaim the dignity of our youth and strengthen the social fabric of our communities,” said Deputy Minister Gondwe.
“As McDonald’s celebrates 30 years of operations in South Africa, this graduation stands as a powerful testament to our continued commitment to the country’s development needs. It reflects our belief that “there is no us without you”, a principle that drives every initiative we undertake to uplift and empower the communities we serve.” said Dr Masia.
“As CATHSSETA, we see this programme as more than a skills programme. It’s a celebration of opportunity, resilience, and the transformative impact of partnerships in building a brighter, more inclusive future for South Africa’s youth.” concluded Thibela.
