South Africa launches real estate learnership programme to deepen property sector transformation
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South Africa has launched a real estate learnership programme in Mpumalanga, the second province to roll it out, to equip young people from historically disadvantaged communities with skills for careers in the property sector.
South Africa's government has launched a Real Estate Learnership Programme aimed at expanding inclusive economic participation and transformation in the property sector through skills development and employment creation.
The programme was launched in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, on Wednesday, September 3, as a collaboration between the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA) and the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA).
Speaking at the launch, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane said meaningful transformation of the property sector cannot happen while young people, particularly those from historically disadvantaged communities, remain outside its economic opportunities.
"Transformation is not simply about changing who occupies positions in the property sector. It is about changing who has access to the opportunities that create those positions in the first place," Simelane said.
Mpumalanga is the second province to roll out the programme, following its launch in KwaZulu-Natal in March, and the government intends to expand it nationally. The PPRA will offer post-training and SMME support, including business incubation for emerging Black- and youth-owned property enterprises, while top-performing learners can take the Professional Designated Examination (PDE 5) to progress from candidate practitioners to full principal estate agents.
Simelane said the property industry represents billions in economic value but remains largely inaccessible, as it is predominantly controlled by a minority, and that programmes such as the learnership will help change who participates in it.