With youth unemployment in South Africa remaining one of the country’s most pressing socio-economic challenges, businesses have an important role to play in creating meaningful pathways into skills development and employment. Through its ongoing partnership with Caterpillar (Cat), Barloworld Equipment is helping address this challenge by investing in technical training initiatives designed to equip young people with future-ready skills and exposure to career opportunities within the industrial and engineering sectors.
Building on South Africa’s Youth Month, Barloworld Equipment is reinforcing its commitment to developing the country’s next generation of technical talent by hosting graduates of Cat Technicians for the World programme at its Peter J Bulterman (PJB) Learning Academy in Isando, Kempton Park.
The event brings together young people from across Gauteng who have successfully completed Caterpillar’s free six-week online Technicians for the World programme, which introduces learners to the basics of Cat equipment systems, service workplace safety and potential pathways into service technician training or apprenticeship opportunities.
The programme forms an important part of Barloworld Equipment’s talent development strategy by helping identify motivated young people interested in technical careers while supporting Caterpillar’s global commitment to skills development. It also provides an accessible entry point for young people who may not otherwise have direct exposure to technical careers in sectors such as mining, construction, infrastructure, power and energy.
Participants will gain first-hand exposure to the Barloworld Equipment environment through presentations on the Caterpillar business, guided tours of the training academy and field service workshops, and an opportunity to engage directly with technical leaders during a CV submission and question-and-answer session. This engagement is intended to help connect promising young talent with future apprenticeship, training and employment opportunities within the broader technical ecosystem.
“South Africa’s industrial growth depends on a strong pipeline of skilled technicians. Through initiatives such as Technicians for the World, we are helping young people understand what a technical career can offer, while also identifying motivated learners who can be supported into further training and workplace opportunities,” said Ruben Baloyi, Executive Head Human Capital at Barloworld Equipment.
The initiative reflects Barloworld Equipment’s belief that investing in technical education and employability contributes not only to individual career opportunities but also to South Africa’s long-term industrial competitiveness and economic growth.
By creating accessible learning opportunities and building practical career pathways, Barloworld Equipment and Caterpillar continue to empower young people with the skills required to support the country’s infrastructure, mining, construction and industrial sectors.
To date, 1032 learners in South Africa have been engaging with the Technicians for the World programme content, of these 92 have fully completed all modules.