South African Parliament to host Youth Colloquium and Innovation Expo on employment, skills and labour-market barriers — 31 August 2026

Parliament, through its Research Unit, will on Monday, 31 August 2026, host a Youth Colloquium and Youth Innovation Expo under the theme: “Youth employment, economic growth, skills and challenges faced by young people in the labour market.”

The colloquium will bring together young people, policymakers, educators, industry representatives and civil society to deliberate on the challenges confronting young people in the labour market, including skills gaps, systemic barriers to employment and the need for meaningful youth participation in the digital economy.

The colloquium seeks to examine the gaps between evolving labour market demands and the capacity of education and training systems to respond. As the skills landscape shifts towards digital literacy, creativity, innovation and adaptability, many young people continue to face barriers to acquiring relevant skills and accessing employment and economic opportunities. Discussions will explore ways to strengthen education and training systems, address skills gaps and create more effective pathways for young people to participate meaningfully in the changing economy.

A key feature of the programme will be the Youth Innovation Expo, which will showcase youth-led solutions and initiatives in areas including technology, green innovation, creative industries and community development. The expo will provide young innovators with an opportunity to demonstrate their ideas, products and solutions while engaging with policymakers, industry and other stakeholders.

The colloquium will provide an interactive platform for participants and members of the audience to engage with panellists through comments and questions.

The programme takes place against the backdrop of Youth Day, which commemorates the 1976 Soweto Uprising, when young people mobilised against an unequal and discriminatory education system. The legacy of the 1976 generation continues to inform national conversations on youth development, education and economic opportunity.