ReadytoWork is a pan Africa initiative aimed at equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make the critical transition from education to work through digital and face-to-face learning journeys. The programme has two learning pathways; one is for young people seeking formal employment and the other is for young people interested in starting their own businesses. It is flexible and allows young people the flexibility of following a set learning path or to develop their skills on a specific topic of choice.

The curriculum is comprised of the following modules:
• Work Skills
• People Skills
• Money Skills
• Entrepreneurial Skills

The combination of modules or topics is dependent on the young person’s choice of learning journey or topic of interest. Upon completion of the ReadytoWork programme, young people will have the opportunity to apply for work experience opportunities.

Absa has, as of 1 June 2017, contracted with Lulaway to provide ReadytoWork training for 4000 young people nationally and to place at least 2000 of these young people nationally too. So far, we are well on our way to reaching our targets and empowering young people through the ReadytoWork programme that has complemented our existing Work Readiness Programme. Since inception in June 2017, we have trained approximately 400 young people in Gauteng and Mpumulanga, of which at least 260 have confirmed placements in these two provinces.

It is our goal to exceed our targets in the year ahead as we partner with Absa and other stakeholders in the fight against unemployment that is not only crippling our economy, but also each and every young person and his/her family members and community affected by it.

This is a project of the LulaLAB division. LulaLAB focuses on promoting sustainable job creation. Research shows that the majority of workseekers and entry-level employees are poorly equipped to transition permanently into the workforce. A lack of basic workplace etiquette, communications skills and intrapersonal skills result in poor retention rates and limited prospects of long term growth. LulaLAB provides youth with the skills and support to succeed in the workplace. Interventions include work-readiness training, medical subsidies, interest-free loans and other innovative programs focused on enabling long-term transition into the workplace.