Duja Consulting

This Duja Consulting article, “From Idle to Employable: Practical Training That Makes a Difference,” explores how practical, market-driven training can unlock real employment opportunities. Millions of individuals are stuck in the cycle of idleness—not in education, employment, or training. But the right training can break the cycle. Here are five key takeaways: 1) Align training with market needs – Don’t train for yesterday’s jobs. 2) Build soft skills – Communication and emotional intelligence matter. 3) Include real work experience – Learning by doing is essential. 4) Support holistic well-being – Training must address more than just skills. 5) Measure and track outcomes – Prove impact with clear metrics. If you're rethinking how training can truly make a difference, this article is a must-read. Connect with Duja Consulting to explore how we design training programmes that create lasting impact: From potential to performance.

This Duja Consulting paper examines how to accurately assess the true value of industry-wide skills interventions – and why it matters more than ever. As businesses, policymakers, and educators continue to invest in skills development on a large scale, one critical question remains: How do we know if it’s working? Our latest paper, "Measuring Impact: KPIs and Metrics for Industry-Wide Skills Interventions," provides practical, business-focused insights into evaluating these efforts using meaningful data. Here’s what you’ll find in the paper: Why Measuring Impact Matters – Especially When Aligning Skills Initiatives with Broader Business and Economic Outcomes. Key frameworks to evaluate interventions, including logic models, Balanced Scorecards, and Kirkpatrick’s levels. Essential metrics and KPIs – from individual skills attainment to organisational productivity and sector-wide growth. Real-world case study from the manufacturing sector that demonstrates how targeted upskilling drove measurable results. Common challenges in data collection, evaluation, and attribution – and how to overcome them. Clear recommendations for businesses, policymakers, and training providers to strengthen impact measurement. If you're investing in workforce development and want to ensure your interventions drive measurable change, this paper is a must-read. Connect with Duja Consulting to discuss how we help organisations design, evaluate, and improve skills and strategies that deliver real business impact. #SkillsDevelopment #ImpactMeasurement #KPIs #WorkforceStrategy #DujaConsulting #Upskilling #LearningAndDevelopment #TrainingROI #BusinessStrategy #Industry4_0

While today’s youth are more educated than ever before, many employers still struggle to find candidates with the right skills for entry-level roles. This paper examines why formal education often falls short in preparing students for the workplace—and what can be done to address this issue. The paper highlights global case studies and shares practical recommendations for business leaders, educators, and policymakers. Key takeaways include: The mismatch is real – Many graduates lack practical experience, technical know-how, and soft skills, making them “unemployed and unemployable.” Vocational education works – Countries like Finland show how integrating technical education with academic learning and real-world experience leads to lower youth unemployment. Public-private partnerships are vital – Strong collaboration between schools, businesses, and policymakers creates more relevant curricula and smoother school-to-work transitions. Modern curricula matter – Embedding digital, green, and soft skills into education ensures youth are ready for jobs in key growth sectors. Business leaders play a role – By offering internships, mentoring, and co-developing training programmes, companies can actively shape the next generation of talent. Connect with Duja Consulting to learn how we support organisations, institutions, and governments in building education-to-employment pipelines that deliver real results. #DujaConsulting #EducationToEmployment #YouthUnemployment #VocationalEducation #SkillsDevelopment #FutureOfWork #WorkforceDevelopment

This Duja Consulting paper explores a powerful solution to youth unemployment that is gaining momentum worldwide – corporate-led upskilling initiatives. With millions of young people struggling to enter the workforce, companies are stepping up to equip them with the skills, experience and support they need to succeed. Here are some key takeaways from the paper: 1 – Youth unemployment is a global crisis One in five young people globally are not in employment, education or training – a missed opportunity for both individuals and economies. 2 – Corporates are driving change From digital boot camps to apprenticeships, companies are investing in youth skills to build a future-ready workforce and bridge critical gaps. 3 – Partnerships are essential Public–private collaborations amplify impact, combining the agility of business with the reach of government and NGOs. 4 – Real-world success stories exist The Global Alliance for YOUth, founded by Nestlé, has already delivered over 40 million skill-building opportunities for young people globally. 5 – Impact is measurable The best programmes track employment outcomes, earnings progression, and job readiness – and use the data to improve continuously. Corporate-led upskilling is not just a nice-to-have. It's a necessity. Connect with Duja Consulting to explore how your organisation can contribute to creating opportunities for unemployed youth while building a stronger, more resilient talent pipeline for your business. #Upskilling #YouthEmployment #DujaConsulting #CorporateResponsibility #FutureOfWork #SkillsDevelopment #WorkforceTransformation #SocialImpact #SharedValue #LeadershipForGood #DujaInsights

This Duja Consulting paper unpacks urgent, evidence-based strategies to tackle South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis through practical upskilling methods. With over 43% of youth unemployed—and even higher figures among those aged 15–24—this white paper outlines how targeted, industry-aligned interventions can create real employment pathways for South Africa’s young people. Practical Upskilling Methods For Unemployed Youth in South Africa is essential reading for policymakers, NGOs, educators, and business leaders seeking scalable, collaborative solutions to drive inclusive youth employment. Key takeaways include: TVET That Works: Strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to equip youth with practical, job-ready skills that meet industry needs—especially in mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. Work-Based Learning at Scale: Expanding apprenticeships, learnerships, and internships to bridge the gap between training and employment. SETAs and companies are successfully aligning these with real job roles. Digital Skills for the Future: Integrating foundational digital literacy into training, from coding and AI to digital entrepreneurship—ensuring youth are employable in a 4IR-driven economy. Supporting Youth Entrepreneurs: Investing in entrepreneurship training, funding, and mentorship via the NYDA, private sector, and NGOs to help young people become job creators. The Power of Partnerships: Public-private collaborations, aligned with national frameworks like the PYEI, are vital to connecting training with employment opportunities. Success Stories Are Emerging: Models like YES, Harambee, the MTN Foundation, and the Western Cape BPO Project are already delivering results—demonstrating that with the right support, youth can thrive. Inclusion Must Be a Priority: Effective programmes include wraparound support (like transport, stipends, and mentorship), and focus on reaching rural communities and young women. This paper provides a roadmap to unlocking South Africa’s demographic dividend. By scaling what works and strengthening collaboration across sectors, we can build a more equitable and resilient economy. Read the paper and connect with Duja Consulting to explore partnership opportunities in youth development. #YouthEmployment #SkillsDevelopment #WorkplaceReadiness #Entrepreneurship #DigitalInclusion #SouthAfrica #TVET #WBL #DujaConsulting #YESProgramme #FutureOfWork

This Duja Consulting article explores why large-scale, industry-wide skills development interventions are particularly effective in South Africa. It highlights how collaborative approaches strategically address persistent skills shortages, enhance industry competitiveness, and drive meaningful socio-economic transformation. South Africa’s economic growth and social equity objectives rely heavily on having a skilled workforce ready to meet industry demands. However, isolated efforts often fall short. This article unpacks why coordinated, industry-wide training programmes, which align closely with national priorities and leverage collaboration across businesses, government, and educational institutions, consistently deliver significant and sustainable outcomes. Discover how large-scale interventions create real impact by developing robust talent pipelines, standardising quality, and promoting inclusion, ultimately shaping a stronger economic future for South Africa. #SkillsDevelopment #IndustryCollaboration #EconomicGrowth #SouthAfrica #SocioEconomicImpact #DujaConsulting

This Duja Consulting paper explores the industrial policies that enabled South Korea and Singapore to achieve large-scale job creation—and what lessons South Africa can draw from their success. While South Africa continues to grapple with high unemployment, both South Korea and Singapore transitioned from low-income economies in the 1960s to high-income nations with near-full employment today. Their success wasn’t accidental. Through targeted industrial policies, strategic government interventions, and a relentless focus on skills development, these nations built globally competitive industries that fuelled economic growth and employment. Could South Africa replicate aspects of this approach? The paper delves into: 🔹 How South Korea’s chaebol-driven industrialisation (Hyundai, Samsung, LG) created millions of jobs. 🔹 How Singapore’s foreign direct investment strategy transformed it into a global business hub. 🔹 The relevance of these models to South Africa’s key industries—mining, manufacturing, and financial services. 🔹 Policy recommendations, including export-oriented industrialisation, skills development, and infrastructure investment. If South Korea could transition from an agrarian economy to a global manufacturing powerhouse, and Singapore could leverage its strategic location to drive industrial expansion, what’s stopping South Africa from redefining its economic trajectory? Read the full paper to explore how South Africa can take decisive steps toward sustainable job creation. #EconomicGrowth #JobCreation #IndustrialPolicy #SouthAfrica #DujaConsulting

How Compliance Audits Benefit Supply Chain Heads in South Africa. Reducing risk, ensuring legal compliance, improving governance, and driving cost savings in procurement. Procurement in South Africa is governed by a complex regulatory landscape, where compliance is not just a legal necessity but a strategic enabler. Supply Chain Heads must navigate frameworks like the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA), and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) regulations—all while ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and transparency in their operations. This paper explores why compliance audits are a game-changer for procurement leaders. Far from being a checkbox exercise, they enhance governance, prevent fraud, mitigate financial and legal risks, and unlock cost-saving opportunities. A robust compliance audit program can mean the difference between clean audit outcomes and costly irregularities, directly impacting the credibility and success of the procurement function. Key Benefits of Compliance Audits ✅ Legal and Regulatory Adherence – Ensures procurement aligns with statutory requirements, preventing irregular expenditure and legal penalties. ✅ Stronger Governance & Accountability – Provides independent oversight, reinforcing ethical procurement practices. ✅ Risk Mitigation & Fraud Prevention – Detects red flags before they escalate, protecting organisational integrity. ✅ Financial Efficiency & Cost Savings – Identifies overpayments, contract inefficiencies, and recoverable amounts. ✅ Enhanced Supplier Performance – Ensures B-BBEE compliance, contract adherence, and vendor accountability. ✅ Reputation & Strategic Advantage – Strengthens trust among stakeholders, positioning procurement as a pillar of good governance. Case Study: Compliance in Action The Western Cape government’s proactive Procurement Disclosure Report during the COVID-19 pandemic showcased how transparency and compliance audits prevent procurement scandals, ensure ethical spending, and improve governance. Enhanced internal audit scrutiny resulted in clean procurement records, proving that compliance-led procurement is a strategic advantage. Takeaway for Supply Chain Leaders Compliance audits are not just about ticking boxes—they are an investment in integrity, risk management, and efficiency. By integrating regular audits into procurement strategy, Supply Chain Heads can drive financial savings, strengthen governance, and build a culture of accountability that benefits the entire organisation. Download the full paper to learn how compliance audits can transform your procurement function. #Procurement #ComplianceAudits #SupplyChainManagement #RiskMitigation #CorporateGovernance #BBEEE #PFMA #MFMA

Unlock Hidden Insights with Probity Audits. Did you know that probity audits can uncover much more than just fraud or compliance issues? They are a powerful tool for discovering hidden inefficiencies and unnoticed conflicts of interest and optimising procurement processes within your organisation. Our latest article explores the lesser-known benefits of probity audits and how they can drastically improve operational efficiency. Here's what you'll learn: ✅ How probity audits uncover hidden bottlenecks and inefficiencies in your processes ✅ Why they are essential for identifying unnoticed conflicts of interest and ethical risks ✅ The role they play in optimising procurement and contracting processes for cost savings ✅ How they highlight cultural and compliance gaps that can lead to larger risks if ignored ✅ Real-world examples of organisations that benefited from probity audits By identifying these issues early on, probity audits can lead to cost savings, risk mitigation, and a stronger reputation for transparency. It’s time to take your operations to the next level. Check out the article to discover how probity audits can help you uncover valuable insights and drive meaningful change in your organisation. #ProbityAudit #OperationalEfficiency #FraudPrevention #BusinessIntegrity #Compliance #RiskManagement #Transparency #Procurement #Ethics #BusinessStrategy #OrganisationalGrowth

Lifestyle audits are powerful tools for detecting illicit enrichment and reinforcing public sector integrity. By comparing an individual's standard of living to their declared income, these audits expose financial misconduct and deter corruption. Our latest white paper, "Lifestyle Audit Trends: Successes, Challenges & Insights," explores global best practices, case studies, and key challenges and offers strategic recommendations for South Africa. 🔹 Global Trends & Lessons – Kenya, Nigeria, and the Philippines offer insights into successes and pitfalls. 🔹 South Africa’s Progress – Since 2021, lifestyle audits have been compulsory, but enforcement gaps remain. 🔹 Best Practices – Forensic accounting, AI-driven analytics, and inter-agency collaboration enhance effectiveness. 🔹 Challenges – Political resistance, legal constraints, and capacity issues can undermine impact. 🔹 The Way Forward – Strengthening laws, improving data access, and ensuring top-level accountability are critical. Read the full white paper to explore how lifestyle audits can drive transparency and ethical governance. #Governance #Accountability #Transparency #LifestyleAudits #AntiCorruption #PublicSector #SouthAfrica