McDonald’s South Africa (MSA) is collaborating with the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and
Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) to train 1,400 unemployed youth
through a Hospitality Learnership Programme. This initiative aligns with CATHSSETA’s recently
adopted High Impact Programme, which aims to empower unemployed individuals with skills that
could lead to employment within McDonald’s and the broader hospitality sector. This initiative
comes at a critical time, as continuous skills development is essential in countries with high youth
unemployment rates.
CATHSSETA is one of the 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) established under the
Skills Development Act (No. 97 of 1998) as amended. It was first established in 2001 as the Tourism
and Hospitality Education and Training Authority (THETA), then re-established as CATHSSETA on
April 1, 2012, to better reflect its broader mandate. Its mission is to facilitate skills development
within its sub-sectors through grants for learning programs and the monitoring of education and
training, as outlined in the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP), 2030.
CATHSSETA operates in the following sub-sectors:
• Arts, Culture, and Heritage
• Conservation
• Gaming and Lotteries
• Hospitality
• Sport, Recreation, and Fitness
• Tourism and Travel Services
“Our role and mandate, as set out in section 10 of the Skills Development Act, 1998, include
developing and implementing a sector skills plan, which describes the trends in each sub-sector as
well as the skills that are in demand. Additionally, this plan identifies priorities for skills
development. We support and administer learning programs, facilitate the implementation of the
National Qualifications Framework (NQF), and conduct quality assurance on learning in line with
Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) requirements. We also undertake quality
assurance and disburse mandatory and discretionary grants using the collected levies to the
qualifying stakeholders to implement skills development initiatives. Employers pay 1% of their
payroll to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) monthly, of which CATHSSETA receives 80% for
administration costs and grants, while the remaining 20% is paid to the National Skills Fund,” says
Marks Thibela, Chief Executive Officer at CATHSSETA.
Continuous skills development is crucial in addressing unemployment, as it equips individuals,
especially the youth, with the knowledge and competencies needed to adapt to changing job
markets and technological advancements. By enhancing their skills, workers and job seekers can
improve their employability, thereby reducing the unemployment rate and contributing to the
overall economic growth of the country.
McDonald’s role in this partnership includes:
• Recruitment: Driving mass awareness about the learnership to attract high-quality
candidates and sharing the positive narrative of the partnership.
• Engagement: Educating the public on participating in this initiative and providing regular
stakeholder updates.
“Hospitality does not feature prominently in the top ten learnerships that people talk about. The
unemployment numbers among the youth are staggering, and as a responsible corporate citizen, we
identified the need to bring CATHSSETA into the youth employment conversation. It was a meeting
of minds, as their priority is skills development. Furthermore, we have partnered with Job Jack to
ensure a seamless recruitment process, as they understand the technological preferences of Gen Z,”
says Greg Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at McDonald’s South Africa.
McDonald’s is prepared to train more than the 1,400-youth promised to CATHSSETA. The
overwhelming response to the program highlights the urgent need for job creation in South Africa,
as demonstrated by the 9,000 applicants, many of whom are graduates.
“The program required that we partner with a reputable training partner, and for this reason, we
collaborated with Training Force, which focuses on delivering industry- and job-specific skills
assessments and training interventions to businesses,” continues Solomon.
The CATHSSETA & McDonald’s SA program offers blended training, combining classroom and on-the-
job training and assessment, with courses such as Occupational Health, Safety and Security, Business
Communication, and Business Finance. From its recruitment efforts, McDonald’s has already
enrolled 1,200 candidates in the learning program. This partnership is successful due to McDonald’s
compliance with government legislation, particularly those related to skills development.
“To illustrate our commitment to skills development, McDonald’s established Hamburger University
at our head office to offer our employees the best training available. Hamburger University is a
global training centre dedicated to developing individuals’ skills and knowledge in restaurant
operation procedures, focusing on quality, service, cleanliness, and value. This empowers our teams
to perform their tasks optimally and uphold our high standards,” says Solomon.
“This is one of the important interventions needed in South Africa. While the education system can
do a lot, I believe the private sector also needs to play a significant role, which is why this initiative is
crucial. It is not just about hosting learners who are graduates, it is about providing them with the
experience that is essential for gaining employment, one of the biggest challenges facing our youth,”
said Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela.
Manamela concluded by saying, “I challenge everyone, including the hospitality sector and other
SETAs, to contribute to helping the government create employment and provide young South
Africans with access to skills that can lead to potential entrepreneurial opportunities. Skills
development and training should not be the sole responsibility of the government. We must, and
have been, working closely with the private sector to ensure that young people are equipped with
the skills needed for sustainable employment.”
By investing in continuous skills development, McDonald’s and CATHSSETA are making a significant
contribution to reducing youth unemployment and fostering a skilled workforce that can meet the
demands of a dynamic economy.
