The Vodacom Foundation runs two major youth initiatives under its skills development umbrella. Depending on whether you are looking for the ICT Skills Development Learnership (based at Vodacom ICT Centres) or the Youth Development Programme (placements as ICT Coordinators in communities), the details and timelines vary slightly.
The core details for both pathways outline what you need to know:
1. Vodacom Foundation Youth Academy IT Learnership
This is a 12-month fixed-term contract aimed at giving unemployed youth practical entry-level ICT skills.
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What you learn/do: Installing IT equipment, basic system analysis, troubleshooting computer systems, database design basics, and network connectivity support.
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Stipend: Yes, a monthly stipend is provided.
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Core Requirements:
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South African citizen with a valid ID, aged between 18 and 34.
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Must be currently unemployed.
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Must live within the operational radius of a participating Vodacom ICT Training Centre.
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Must come from a disadvantaged background (priority often given to matriculants from Quintile 1–3 schools).
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Matric Subjects: English, Mathematics or Maths Literacy, and ideally exposure to Business Studies or Physical Science.
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Status: The application window for the 2026 intake closed on 4 May 2026.
2. Vodacom Foundation Youth Development Programme
This is a longer, 24-month (2-year) placement where you are deployed directly into the field as an ICT Support Coordinator.
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What you do: You are placed at local schools (Schools of Excellence), Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, or Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) to maintain computer labs, monitor network connectivity, and assist staff with digital learning tools.
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Stipend: Yes, monthly.
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Core Requirements:
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South African citizen, aged 18 to 35.
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Matric certificate with at least a 50% average.
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Crucial: You must hold a recognized IT Technical Support qualification (or equivalent).
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Must reside within the specific region/radius of the placement area.
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Placements across: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, and Western Cape.
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Status: Applications for the 2026 deployment cycle typically close late in the preceding year (the last major window closed on 24 November), with onboarding flowing into the 2026 cycle.
Tips for the Next Intake
Because these programmes heavily prioritize local community impact, recruitment is highly location-specific. If you want to prepare your profile for when the next application window opens:
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Keep your docs certified: Have your ID, Matric certificate, and any NQF-level IT qualifications certified and saved digitally.
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Specify your location clearly: Ensure your CV explicitly states your current residential address and town so reviewers can instantly match you to your nearest Vodacom ICT Centre or School of Excellence.
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Contact for inquiries: The dedicated recruitment desk for the academy queries can typically be reached via youthacademyrecruit@vodacom.co.za.
