Officials and Experts Say Johannesburg’s New University Partnerships Could Tackle Skills Shortages

Thousands of Johannesburg students could soon benefit from a sweeping new set of university partnerships aimed at bridging yawning skills gaps—if the city’s leading educators and policymakers are right. On Thursday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi confirmed that the province has reached new agreements with both the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Johannesburg to co-design workplace-driven technical programmes, a move described by city officials as “urgent and necessary” to match local job demands.

Skills shortages, soaring youth unemployment, and shifts in the local economy have made technical training a political and social priority. A recent Stats SA Labour Force Survey showed youth unemployment in Gauteng hovering at 47.8%—the highest in South Africa’s urban centres. The new partnerships, negotiated after months of talks between university officials and the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, target these persistent gaps in sectors ranging from automation and IT to renewable energy installation, crucial for a city struggling to shed its load shedding woes.

Practical Pathways: Parktown to Soweto

Wits University’s Vice-Chancellor, addressing a gathering at the Braamfontein East campus, pointed out that the university’s new skills hub is already preparing to welcome its first intake of 400 students on 1 August. Meanwhile, at UJ’s Soweto campus on Chris Hani Road, faculty leads have started piloting a “booster” curriculum linked directly to tech employers in Rosebank and Sandton. Several large firms—including Investec and Discovery—are reportedly signed on to offer guaranteed internship placements, according to city officials familiar with the talks.

The City’s Director for Skills Development, Teboho Mokoena, confirmed that the ‘Joburg Skills Bridge’ programme will use these university resources to expand short technical courses in areas such as digital marketing, data analytics, and solar panel installation. Mokoena said local government has earmarked R92 million for the first phase, with most of the money directed towards equipment and subsidised tuition.

Costs, Evidence and Next Steps

Bursaries and grants remain a sticking point for some families, with university fees for certified skills courses averaging R12,000 per annum at UJ and slightly higher at Wits. According to the Gauteng City-Region Observatory, less than 19% of South Africans in their 20s have completed a post-secondary qualification, underscoring the city’s need for accessible skills training. Experts from the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry say that the demand for tech-savvy junior staff has outstripped supply in Maboneng, Melrose Arch, and Midrand, despite hundreds of entry-level vacancies being advertised each month.

With rollout due at Wits and UJ before the end of 2026, city officials urge interested students to monitor the universities’ portals and the City of Johannesburg’s website for application openings later this month. Mokoena insists that “there is no silver bullet,” but says the new partnerships could set the tone for city-wide skills reform—if they are sufficiently funded and matched to employer needs. Those looking to apply can consult the walk-in information centre at Metro Centre, Loveday Street, or use the hotline announced on city social media channels.