WeeklySA_AdminPATHWAY: Young people in the Vaal urged to rethink the wholesale and retail sector as a serious career path as Seta boss highlights more than 200 career opportunities, and untapped prospects in e-commerce and township entrepreneurship…
By Nhlanhla Mbatha
Young people in the Vaal have been challenged to rethink their perceptions of the wholesale and retail sector, with industry leaders highlighting the sector’s vast career opportunities and role in job creation.
This challenge was made by Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA) chief executive officer Tom Mkhwanazi while addressing the youth at the Empowa Youth Vaal event held at Koinonia Bible Church in Sebokeng this week. He said many young people viewed the retail sector as a last resort rather than a viable career of choice.
“A lot of young people only come into the sector because they have failed to find employment elsewhere. They also don’t realise the number of opportunities available,” Mkhwanazi said.
He revealed that the sector offers more than 200 career pathways, ranging from shop-floor roles to specialised professions such as data analysis, architecture, logistics and finance.
The wholesale and retail sector remains one of the largest employers in South Africa, with approximately 3.2 million people employed in the formal sector alone. Mkhwanazi emphasised that the sector’s impact extends far beyond retail stores, influencing industries such as mining, insurance, fintech and entrepreneurship.
He encouraged young people to embrace entry-level opportunities and gain a full understanding of how businesses operate.
“Many graduates want to start at management level, but to grow, you must first understand the business from the ground up,” he said. The W&RSETA chief also highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship, particularly in township economies.
“Young people must start thinking about creating their own employment. Whether through small businesses, cooperatives, or the gig economy, there are opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods,” he said. He pointed to areas such as e-commerce and last-mile delivery as underutilised opportunities, noting that young people could earn an income by participating in the growing gig economy.
Beyond skills development, Mkhwanazi stressed the importance of soft skills, such as customer service and professionalism, which he described as critical gaps among young job seekers.
Soft skills are often more important than technical skills, especially in a customer-facing sector like retail,” he said.
The weeklong Empowa Youth Vaal event – supported by the social development department, Unilever, Coca Cola, W&RETA and other SETAs – aims to equip young people with knowledge, skills and opportunities to improve their employment prospects and entrepreneurial potential.
