Turning Trash into Opportunities - Waste RDI Roadmap Delivers Results

Pretoria, South Africa — A decade-long investment in waste research and innovation is paying off, with the Department of Science and Innovation’s Waste RDI Roadmap showing strong results in human capital development.

Hosted by the CSIR, the programme has supported academic candidates in waste management research between 2015 and 2025, creating measurable impact in skills development and employment.

Key Findings

African beneficiaries: 94% of participants were from Africa, with 81% based in South Africa.

Positive outcomes: 74% of graduates achieved a positive destination, either securing full-time employment or pursuing further studies.

Employment success: 70% overall employment rate, with 60% in full-time jobs and 10% in part-time roles.

Advanced research: 14% continued with postgraduate studies, strengthening research capacity in the waste sector.

“Taken together, 74% of graduates achieved a positive destination after programme completion,” the report notes, highlighting the programme’s alignment with industry needs.

Demographics

The study revealed a diverse and inclusive profile of beneficiaries:

Gender balance: 59% female participants.

Age profile: Average age of 32 years.

Race diversity: 63% Black African, with the remainder split among White (14%), Coloured (9%), and Asian (14%).

Employment And Opportunities

Graduates demonstrated strong transition into the workforce:

28% secured immediate employment.

44% found jobs within four months of completing the programme.

More than 70% were placed in industry roles within months, showing effective alignment between training and market demand.