Give Back 100 Bootcamp: What If Education Matched What Industry Actually Needs?
The Give Back 100 journey launched with energy and purpose. On Wednesday, March 18, we welcomed our bursary recipients to the very first Give Back 100 Bootcamp, bringing together a group of driven individuals ready to take their next step. The day was focused, practical, and honest. From understanding how to measure business performance to unpacking financial fundamentals, the aim was simple: build skills that matter in the real world.
According to Geoff Schreiner, Head of Department of Business Studies at Cornerstone Institute, one of South Africa's most persistent economic problems is a fundamental mismatch. On one side, the industry says it cannot find the skills it needs. On the other hand, thousands of graduates leave tertiary institutions every year only to discover that no jobs await them. "We are hearing from industry that they don't have the skills they need," Geoff explains, "and at the same time, we are aware that there are a large number of graduates coming out of our tertiary institutions who are not finding jobs." The solution, he believes, lies in alignment. By understanding industry's real needs and shaping education to meet them, we can begin to close the gap. "In that way," he says, "we believe we will be able to contribute to economic growth in South Africa." Give Back 100 is about more than access to education. It's about recognising potential, supporting it, and creating space for people to move forward despite the barriers they face. With youth unemployment still a reality for many in South Africa, initiatives like this are a step toward changing that story, one student at a time. According to Stats SA, approximately 3.7 million people were classified as discouraged workāseekers in late 2025, individuals who have given up looking for work entirely. Of these, nearly 2 million are young people aged 15ā34. Give Back 100 is just the beginning. If you're a young person ready to bridge the gap between education and opportunity, we want to hear from you. Applications for the Give Back 100 are open from May 4 to May 15, 2026.