Eduvos and eLAUNCHED Partner to Tackle Youth Unemployment in South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa — In a landmark move to confront one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges, Eduvos, one of the country’s leading private higher education institutions, has partnered with eLAUNCHED, South Africa’s first centralised Talent Sourcing Platform. The collaboration will give thousands of Eduvos students access to verified employers and career opportunities from the moment they register, ensuring they are not only educated but career-ready too.

“At Eduvos, we’re committed to preparing our students for the world of work,” said Cheryl Smith, Head of Student Support and Student Affairs, Eduvos. “Partnering with eLAUNCHED allows us to strengthen our commitment to student success by ensuring our graduates are employable, with a clear pathway into sustainable careers.”

The partnership directly addresses the growing crisis of graduate unemployment. According to Statistics South Africa, the official unemployment rate for graduates stood at 12.2% in the second quarter of 2025, representing a 0.5 percentage point increase from the previous quarter. Over the past sixteen years, graduate unemployment has doubled. These numbers are compounded by geographic and socio-economic barriers that restrict access to opportunities for many young South Africans, particularly those living in rural areas or informal settlements without reliable transport or internet access. At the same time, companies are overwhelmed by applicants, many of whom do not meet their needs.

eLAUNCHED, developed over four years of research and design, provides a bold response to these challenges. Unlike traditional job boards or recruitment agencies, the platform acts as a comprehensive hub for employment, skills development, and bursary opportunities. It connects young people with verified, vetted employers while giving organisations the tools to build sustainable talent pipelines affordably and efficiently.

“eLAUNCHED was designed to solve one of South Africa’s biggest challenges; youth unemployment,” said Thabo Maroga, CEO, eLAUNCHED. “By creating a centralised talent pool and using smart matching technology, we help young people focus on upskilling while we do the heavy lifting of job seeking. Working with Eduvos, we’re ensuring that graduates have a real chance at building meaningful careers.”

The partnership underscores the importance of bridging higher education and employment. By connecting students with the job market from the outset of their studies, Eduvos and eLAUNCHED are helping to break down the barriers that prevent young people from transitioning successfully into the workforce.

About ELAUNCHED

eLAUNCHED is South Africa’s first centralised Talent Sourcing Platform, built to connect graduates and young people with vetted opportunities from reputable companies. Designed over four years of research and development, eLAUNCHED addresses the concerns of both candidates and employers, making the job market more accessible, efficient, and impactful.

About Eduvos

Eduvos is one of South Africa’s leading private higher education institutions, committed to providing quality education and preparing students for success in the job market. With 12 campuses nationwide, Eduvos equips thousands of students each year with the skills and opportunities to thrive.