There is a new reality confronting young South Africans entering the world of work: the jobs they are looking for are changing at the same time that they are struggling to find jobs in the first place. South Africa’s youth unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 34 has climbed to 47.4%, according
to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, with 5 million young people unemployed in the second quarter of this year. And now, artificial intelligence is adding another layer to an already difficult labour market. AI can automate certain tasks, change the way businesses operate and alter the skills employers look for — but it can also create new opportunities in areas such as data, cybersecurity, cloud computing, software, digital services and AI itself. So what does this actually mean for a young person sitting at home with a degree, diploma or matric certificate and
struggling to get that first opportunity? Are our universities and TVET colleges teaching young people the skills that the economy needs? Are employers doing enough to give young
people workplace experience? And importantly, can AI become part of the solution to South Africa's youth unemployment crisis rather than another barrier to entering the economy? We’re asking these questions tonight as the Institute for the Future of Work prepares for its annual dialogue on how AI and
technological change are reshaping the future of work. Joining us is Tseliso Mohlomi, Executive Director of the Institute for the Future of Work at Tshwane University of Technology. 

There is a new reality confronting young South Africans&nbsp;entering the world of work: the jobs they are looking for are&nbsp;changing at the same time that they are struggling to find&nbsp;jobs in the first place. South Africa&rsquo;s youth unemployment&nbsp;rate for those aged 15 to 34 has climbed to 47.4%, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, with 5 million&nbsp;young people unemployed in the second quarter of this year.&nbsp;And now, artificial intelligence is adding another layer to an&nbsp;already difficult labour market. AI can automate certain tasks,&nbsp;change the way businesses operate and alter the skills&nbsp;employers look for &mdash; but it can also create new opportunities in areas such as data, cybersecurity, cloud computing,&nbsp;software, digital services and AI itself.&nbsp;So what does this actually mean for a young person sitting at&nbsp;home with a degree, diploma or matric certificate and struggling to get that first opportunity? Are our universities and&nbsp;TVET colleges teaching young people the skills that the&nbsp;economy needs? Are employers doing enough to give young people workplace experience? And importantly, can AI&nbsp;become part of the solution to South Africa's youth&nbsp;unemployment crisis rather than another barrier to&nbsp;entering the economy?&nbsp;We&rsquo;re asking these questions tonight as the Institute for the&nbsp;Future of Work prepares for its annual dialogue on how AI and technological change are reshaping the future of work. Joining&nbsp;us is Tseliso Mohlomi, Executive Director of the Institute for the&nbsp;Future of Work at Tshwane University of Technology.&nbsp;

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

Tseliso Mohlomi ( Senior Director, Office of the Vice-Chancellor & Principal Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW), Tshwane University of Technology )