Hisense SA’s manufacturing plant in Atlantis last week celebrated the graduation of 80 young people from the local community, who successfully completed a year-long learnership and skills development programme. The initiative, led by the consumer electronics and home appliances company, in partnership with EduPower Skills Academy, was supported by the Manufacturing, Engineering & Related Services Education and Training Authority (MERSETA) and the Wholesale & Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA).
The programme gave unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 28 the opportunity to gain both theoretical training and practical work experience, culminating in a SETA-accredited qualification. Over the past year, learners attended classes and participated in full-time, Monday-to-Friday workplace environments, building a well-rounded foundation for their future employment. Of the 100 young people who began the programme, 80 have now graduated with their qualifications.
Building on the success of this first cohort, Hisense SA has since welcomed a new intake of 120 young people from Atlantis, who began their own year-long learnership programme in September 2026. This growing pipeline of talent reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to youth development, with an even larger group of learners now set to benefit from the same combination of SETA-accredited theoretical training and hands-on workplace experience that helped shape this year’s graduates.
“We launched this initiative because we care deeply about creating opportunities that expand access to education for young people, especially those that combine classroom learning with on-the-job training. Seeing 80 of our learners graduate today is proof that a year-long learnership provides a powerful pathway capable of equipping our youth with the skills and experience they need to take meaningful steps toward a successful and fulfilling career,” said Robin Murray, HR Group Director at Hisense SA.
This graduation reflects Hisense SA’s commitment to giving back to the communities in which it operates. Through its investment in the talent and workplace experience of young people in Atlantis, the company has contributed meaningfully to the region’s long-term prosperity. Its objective was to equip these learners with the skills, confidence, and experience required to thrive in today’s workplace, and this graduation stands as confirmation that this objective has been achieved.
Ward Councillor Allister Lightburn, who attended the graduation ceremony, commended Hisense SA and its partners for the impact of the programme on the local community: “As the ward councillor for Atlantis, I have seen first-hand how youth unemployment affects our families and our community’s future. Today, watching 80 of our young people graduate with real, accredited qualifications is a proud moment for Atlantis. This is exactly the kind of partnership between business, training providers and local government that our community needs. I want to thank Hisense SA and EduPower for investing in our youth, and I encourage other companies operating in Atlantis to follow this example.”
The programme was facilitated by EduPower Skills Academy, a specialist training provider, who delivered the academic components while ensuring learners gained relevant industry exposure.
Divan Barnardo, Sales Director for EduPower, stressed the value of meaningful partnerships in expanding opportunities for youth to obtain the training and qualifications they need to succeed in today’s competitive economy: “We are proud to have partnered with Hisense SA on this initiative. Over the past year, participants have not only obtained a formal qualification but also valuable workplace experience that bridges the gap between education and employment. Today’s graduation shows that this combination is key to empowering young people to enter the job market with a competitive edge.”
Funded by Hisense SA, the programme was designed to tackle youth unemployment by providing qualifications linked to real industry opportunities. Hisense SA’s commitment to local skills development reflects its broader mission to uplift and support the communities in which it operates.
For 30 years, Hisense has been part of South Africa’s story. Since entering the market in 1996, the company has grown its footprint while carrying forward a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, creating local jobs and exporting “Made in South Africa” products across the continent and beyond. Three decades on, Hisense remains committed to putting world-class technology in South African hands, and giving South Africans a hand in building it.
This graduation symbolises Hisense SA’s hope for, and shared sense of duty to, the youth of South Africa. The company looks forward to seeing these 80 young graduates grow, succeed, and contribute positively to their families, their community, and the broader South African economy.