Telkom launches free AI and ICT training to empower South African youth

Delivered in partnership with Netcampus Group and Microsoft, this initiative is designed to equip 100,000 South Africans aged 13 and older with critical skills needed to thrive in the 21st-century economy. 

Judy Vilakazi, Head of the Telkom Foundation. Portal ERP South Africa. 

In a bid to help close South Africa’s digital skills gap and increase youth employability, the Telkom Group, through its Telkom Foundation, has launched a free educational initiative focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The program aims to empower previously disadvantaged youth with the tools and knowledge required to succeed in today’s technology-driven economy.

Delivered in collaboration with the Netcampus Group and Microsoft, the initiative is targeting 100,000 young South Africans aged 13 and above. At the heart of this effort is the AI Fluency Course, which is offered at no cost through the TelkomLearn platform. The course is designed to make critical digital knowledge more accessible and support long-term economic participation.

“We believe that technology is a great equalizer,” says Judy Vilakazi, Head of the Telkom Foundation. “This is all about giving South African youth a fighting chance to compete, create, and contribute to a better future.”

The core program includes a six-hour online course and a 30-minute live webinar led by industry experts. It introduces learners to the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence, the technology that enables machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as decision-making and pattern recognition. The curriculum also covers Cybersecurity, which focuses on protecting systems, networks, and data from digital attacks. These fields are increasingly essential in nearly every sector of the modern workforce.

Participants who complete the course will not only gain a strong foundation in these areas but also position themselves to take advantage of evolving career opportunities. “Just six hours of your time could change your life for the better, forever,” says Vilakazi.

To further encourage participation, the Telkom Foundation is emphasizing the long-term value of digital literacy: “The skills acquired through this program will open doors to new career paths, foster entrepreneurial thinking, and ensure you remain competitive in the global marketplace,” she explains.

In addition to the AI course, Netcampus will award 50 top-performing learners with scholarships for extended training and the chance to earn international Microsoft certifications. These credentials are globally recognized and can significantly boost employment prospects in IT and tech-related roles.

The initiative also includes a 12-month ICT Learnership Program, which will benefit 210 unemployed South African youth. Accredited by the MICT SETA (Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority), the program combines four months of theoretical training with eight months of practical work experience hosted by partner organizations.

Participants can choose from specializations such as systems development, business analysis, telecommunications networks, and ICT marketing. Beyond technical training, the curriculum integrates value-added modules in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, design thinking, Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) awareness, personal branding, and workplace readiness—ensuring that graduates are not only skilled, but also professionally equipped for long-term success.

By investing in inclusive education and future-proof skills, Telkom and its partners are helping to reshape the future of South Africa’s workforce, one learner at a time.