Ericsson South Africa Launches Telecom Skills Programme for Youth
The 12-month learnership will lead to the Further Education and Training Certificate: Telecommunication Network Operations, SAQA ID 59057, NQF Level 4.
Ericsson South Africa is launching the first cohort of a planned five-year field operations learnership initiative to support skills development and help prepare young people for careers in the telecommunications sector.
The first cohort of 15 learners were welcomed at a launch event in KuGompo, Eastern Cape on 22 July 2026. The event brought together Ericsson teams, learning center partners, customers and students to mark the start of the learners’ skills development journey.
The 12-month learnership will lead to the Further Education and Training Certificate: Telecommunication Network Operations, SAQA ID 59057, NQF Level 4. It will be delivered by Human Capital Learning Solutions and accredited by MICT SETA and QCTO.
The program combines classroom learning, on site practical training and workplace experience. It is customized to Ericsson’s field operations, rigging and installation requirements, with the aim of preparing learners to become work ready Telecommunications Technicians and Riggers.
“Skills development is important to the future of South Africa’s digital economy. Through this learnership, Ericsson is helping young people build the technical, safety and workplace skills needed to support telecommunications infrastructure. The program also reflects our commitment to developing local talent and supporting a more capable future workforce in South Africa.”
– Siseko Ngxola, Head, Ericsson South Africa
The learnership covers telecommunications fundamentals, safety, communication, telecom infrastructure, rigging, installation, tower climbing, and field simulations. Learners also gain supervised workplace experience on Ericsson projects while completing workplace logbooks and compiling a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE), demonstrating practical competence and meeting the requirements for successful learnership completion. The program is designed to help learners build the technical and operational skills needed to install, maintain and repair network infrastructure. It will also support training in safety, quality, environmental responsibility and documentation standards aligned with Ericsson’s health, safety and quality requirements.
In addition to technical training, the learnership will support the development of professional skills, including communication, teamwork, ethics, accountability and adaptability. These skills will help learners operate in project environments and support Ericsson’s operational footprint in South Africa.
The program reflects Ericsson’s long-term commitment to South Africa and to empowering the country’s youth through meaningful skills development opportunities. By equipping young talent with in-demand technical capabilities, Ericsson is helping to strengthen local expertise, support employment creation, and contribute to South Africa’s broader economic growth and digital transformation ambitions. The initiative also reinforces Ericsson’s focus on building a skilled local workforce capable of supporting network deployment, modernization, and restoration activities safely, efficiently, and sustainably.
