Applications are officially open for the next intake of the Mr Price Foundation’s JumpStart Professional Retail Programme (PRP) — an industry-aligned youth development initiative preparing unemployed and underemployed youth for meaningful careers in South Africa’s retail sector.
The announcement comes as the Foundation celebrated a new cohort of PRP graduates in Durban this month, recognising young professionals who have completed an intensive eight-month learning journey and are already stepping into South Africa’s growing retail talent pipeline.
Hosted at the Riverside Hotel under the theme “Celebrating Growth, Empowerment & Excellence,” the graduation ceremony highlighted the programme’s impact in creating pathways from learning into work — a key pillar of the Mr Price Foundation’s Vision 2035 ambition to empower 500,000 youth by 2035.
Bridging South Africa’s Youth Unemployment Gap
South Africa continues to face one of the world’s highest youth unemployment rates, with 58.5% of 15–24-year-olds and 38.4% of 25–34-year-olds unemployed, according to Stats SA. At the same time, the retail sector — employing nearly 20% of the national workforce — faces persistent skills shortages in planning, buying, sourcing, logistics and store operations.
The PRP sits at this crucial intersection, equipping young people with the technical, behavioural and workplace readiness skills required to meet real industry needs.
“South Africa has thousands of capable young people who remain excluded from the economy simply because they lack work experience and industry-relevant skills,” said keynote speaker Vuyolwethu Gxotiwe. “The Professional Retail Programme changes that trajectory by opening doors into a sector that touches every community and every household.”
A Transformational Eight-Month Journey
The programme is delivered through a blended model combining classroom learning with real workplace exposure.
During the first three months, participants receive facilitated training in:
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Retail fundamentals
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Customer service and professionalism
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Life skills and workplace readiness
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Group projects and industry challenges
The following five months immerse participants in work-based learning with partner employers across the retail value chain. Through job shadowing, supervisor-guided learning, mentorship and hands-on experience in buying, planning, sourcing and store operations, candidates gain practical insight into the realities of modern retail.
The programme concludes with Business Improvement Plan presentations, where graduates apply their skills to solve real business challenges.
Building Careers, Confidence and Capability
For many graduates, PRP is a turning point — offering a supported transition from potential to opportunity.
Participants leave with:
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Real workplace experience
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Increased confidence and professional readiness
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A formal certificate of completion
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Access to the Mr Price Foundation’s talent pool for job placement
The programme also benefits employers by providing work-ready, pre-screened candidates who understand both the technical and behavioural expectations of retail roles, strengthening the sector’s talent pipeline and supporting transformation.
“The Professional Retail Programme shows what is possible when business, philanthropy and young people work together,” added Gxotiwe. “Every graduate who steps into a retail role strengthens a family, a community and our country’s growth story.”
Celebrating Achievement and Unlocking New Opportunities
The event included reflections from graduates, a performance by Jude Miller, and recognition of facilitators, mentors and host employers who support the programme’s success.
“As the Mr Price Foundation, we see firsthand how powerful the right skills and support can be,” said Octavious Phukubye, Foundation Executive Director. “Many participants arrive feeling overlooked by the job market, yet they leave as confident, capable young professionals ready to contribute meaningfully to the retail sector. The transformation is real.”
Following graduation, alumni receive continued support through the Foundation’s talent pool management system, which helps match them with roles aligned to their strengths and aspirations — ensuring the pathway from training to employment remains strong.
