Since 2019, the Economic Inclusion Unit of the National Business Initiative (NBI) has been spearheading a multi-faceted and multi-sector partnership, which is focused on expanding and growing pathways for young people to access Installation, Repair and Maintenance (IRM) occupations.
The IRM Initiative is strategically aligned to various initiatives of government to drive inclusive recovery and address South Africa’s youth employment crisis. Located initially in the Presidential Job Summit Framework Agreement in 2018, it has subsequently been incorporated as part of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) in support of a coordinated response to reducing youth unemployment in the country.
The Initiative works on the premise that, by supporting township-based IRM entrepreneurs to strengthen and grow their businesses and linking them to localised market opportunities, there will be a concomitant increase in the demand for skilled labour which could lead to the creation of employment opportunities for young people.
The IRM Initiative has the following key features:
It takes a local ecosystem approach to understanding and unlocking opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and unemployed youth, as well as addressing the factors that inhibit access to these opportunities.
Building the capacity of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges so that they become more entrepreneurial in their approach and can deliver demand-led skills development programmes.
The establishment of enterprise and skills development hubs (IRM hubs) in strategic locations that are near industrial nodes that will operate as the institutional mechanisms that can aggregate and deliver support to MSMEs and unemployed youth.
Providing support to existing, growth oriented IRM entrepreneurs to increase enterprise capacity, technical skills, and market access, on the proviso that they train and employ youth.
Delivery of demand-led skills training that are aligned to the skills demands in MSMEs for both workers and unemployed youth and placing them in MSMEs for work-based learning.
Supporting young entrepreneurs with IRM skills to incubate new businesses and linking them to local markets.
Impact Overview
Our work continues to drive impact at scale across the IRM ecosystem, strengthening youth training pathways, supporting MSMEs development, and enabling TVET colleges to play a critical implementation role:
Furthermore, we have developed an integrated ecosystem of tools and platforms designed to remove barriers such as access to information and markets. These include:
Green Economy Toolkit
A practical guide for youth and MSMEs to understand, enter, and grow within the green economy.
IRM Hub Portal
A business support platform connecting township enterprises to funding opportunities, compliance support, and market access.
IRM Learning App
A mobile-first platform offering accessible training, micro-learning, and pathways into certification and employment opportunities.
Graduation
Partners
To learn more about our work, partnership opportunities, or participation, please contact us at NBIIRM_workplaces@nbi.org.za. Our team is available to engage with stakeholders, partners, institutions, and individuals interested in advancing inclusive skilling and sustainable employment pathways.