Africa Skills

What Africa Skills does

Africa Skills is a South African private vocational training college founded in 2006 in George, Western Cape, and now part of the UXI Artisan Development Group. It delivers accredited occupational qualifications across three faculties — Artisan Trades (Electrician, Plumber, Millwright, Welder, Diesel Mechanic, Boilermaker, Bricklayer, Carpenter, Automotive Mechanic, Solar PV Technician, Heat Pump Installer), Agriculture, and Business (Marketing Coordinator, Project Management, Generic Management, Office Administration) — via a 70/30 workplace-integrated learning model where 70% of training occurs on host-employer sites and 30% in classroom/workshop settings. The institution operates seven campuses across Western Cape, Gauteng, and Northern Cape (GeorgeTech, Centurion, Pofadder, Randburg Business, EBDA, VereenigingTech, George Ntaka), and is accredited by QCTO plus 15+ SETAs (MERSETA, AGRISETA, CETA, EWSETA, WRSETA, ICB, MICTSETA, LG SETA, MQA, Service SETA, TETA, HWSETA, FP&M SETA, INSETA, Cathsseta), enabling nationally recognised NQF qualifications and access to Skills Development Levy grants.

Revenue is generated from four streams: individual learner tuition (subscription-style monthly instalments, e.g., R3,000 deposit + 12 monthly payments of R1,000 for a Marketing Coordinator qualification), corporate Business Solutions (WSP/ATR submissions, Employment Tax Incentive administration, B-BBEE compliance, R80,000 per-learner tax rebate management, discretionary grants), SETA funding and Skills Development Levy reimbursements, and the Adopt an Artisan donation/partnership programme routed through Life Changing Properties NPC with Section 18A tax certificates. Go-to-market combines a direct-to-consumer website application funnel, school visits and community events, an enterprise field-sales motion for corporate clients, and event-driven recruitment through events. The company reports 10,000+ learners trained since 2006 and an 85% graduate employment rate, with no disclosed revenue figures.

The business is privately held, directed by E.M Harmse, P.J Harmse, R. Meeske, and N.C Tattersall. Recent strategic activity includes the 2024 opening of the Pofadder Campus in the Northern Cape and the 2026 acquisition of the former Telkom Learning Campus by parent group UXI Artisan Development, signalling an active expansion posture across both organic greenfield and inorganic channels.

Name

Africa Skills

Legal name

Africa Skills

Website

https://africaskills.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Africa Skills is a South African private vocational training college operating seven campuses under a 70/30 workplace-integrated learning model, delivering QCTO-accredited artisan, agriculture, and business qualifications to individual learners and corporate clients since 2006.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Skills Development

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Assessment, Certification & Qualifications Frameworks (BPADAKAL)

Keywords

• Vocational training
• Artisan trades
• Occupational qualifications
• Skills development
• Workplace-integrated learning

Headquarters

HQ city

George

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Learner Tuition and Course Fees: Fees paid by individual students for vocational qualifications across trades, agriculture, and business programmes. Structured payment plans available including deposits and monthly installments.
2. Corporate/Business Training Solutions: Customised training programmes for companies including WSP/ATR submissions, employment equity compliance, discretionary grants management, and host employment arrangements.
3. Bursary and Donation Partnerships: Corporate sponsors, donation partners, and mentorship arrangements through the Adopt an Artisan programme, providing Section 18A tax certificates for qualifying donations.
4. SETA Funding and Grants: Skills Development Levy reimbursements (up to 20%), Employment Tax Incentive administration, and tax rebate management (R80,000 deduction per individual trained) for corporate clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Africa Skills is a private vocational training college that delivers accredited occupational qualifications across three faculties: Artisan Trades (Electrician, Plumber, Welder, Millwright, Diesel Mechanic, Boilermaker, etc.), Agriculture, and Business (Marketing Coordinator, Project Management, Generic Management, Office Administration). Training is delivered through a distinctive 70/30 workplace-integrated learning model across seven campuses in South Africa, with 70% of learning taking place in real workplace environments and 30% in classroom settings. All qualifications are QCTO-accredited and SETA-approved.

Product overview

Africa Skills is a vocational training college offering a unified platform of accredited occupational qualifications across three main faculties: Artisan Trades, Agriculture, and Business. The institution operates seven campuses across South Africa (GeorgeTech, Centurion, Pofadder, Randburg Business, EBDA, VereenigingTech, and George Ntaka) delivering programmes via a distinctive 70/30 workplace-integrated learning model where 70% of training occurs in the workplace and 30% in the classroom. The product portfolio includes full NQF trade qualifications (Electrician, Plumber, Welder, Millwright, etc.), agricultural qualifications, business qualifications (Marketing Coordinator, Project Management, Office Administration), short courses, skills programmes, and trade testing services. Africa Skills also offers corporate business solutions including workforce training, tax incentive management, and the Adopt an Artisan partnership programme. All qualifications are QCTO-accredited and SETA-approved.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Artisan Trade Qualifications Full NQF Level 4 occupational qualifications in high-demand technical trades including Electrician, Plumber, Welder, Millwright, Boilermaker, Bricklayer, Carpenter, Diesel Mechanic, Automotive Motor Mechanic, Mechanical Fitter, Solar PV Service Technician, and Hot Water System Installer. Delivered via the 70/30 workplace-integrated learning model and accredited by QCTO and relevant SETAs. Designed for school-leavers and adult learners seeking Red Seal artisan careers across electrical, plumbing, welding, automotive, construction, and renewable energy sectors.
• Agriculture Qualifications NQF Agricultural Qualifications covering crop production, livestock farming, and agribusiness with hands-on farming training. Accredited by QCTO and AgriSETA, delivered through workplace-integrated learning. Designed for learners seeking careers in farming, agri-processing, and agri-business across South Africa's agricultural sector.
• Business Qualifications Office, administration, and business-focused qualifications including Marketing Coordinator (NQF Level 5, 12 months), Project Management (NQF Level 5, 19 months), Generic Management, and Office Administration. SAQA-registered and QCTO-accredited. Designed for individuals seeking careers in structured office environments with qualifications in business, marketing, finance, and administration.
• Short Courses Various short courses including electrical, welding, plumbing, and boilermaking modules delivered in workshop format ranging from 7 to 25 days. Standalone, shorter-duration skill-building programmes for learners seeking targeted trade exposure.
• Skills Programs Short programmes including Emergency First Aid responder, Assistant Handyperson, Basic Kitchen Appliance Repairer, and various trade-specific skills programmes. Standalone modular offerings for specific skill acquisition.
• Trade Test / ARPL Assessment Accredited trade test centre offering Assessment of Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) for experienced artisans seeking formal qualification recognition. Standalone assessment service for practitioners who have acquired skills through workplace experience but lack formal certification.
• Adopt an Artisan Programme Corporate partnership programme allowing businesses to mentor, donate to, or invest in future artisans with potential tax benefits including Section 18A tax certificates and Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) incentives. Provides companies with a structured pipeline of future employees through sponsored learner development.
• Business Solutions for Companies Workforce training solutions for companies including Tax Rebate assistance (R80,000 deduction per individual trained), Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) management, WSP/ATR Submissions, Employment Equity compliance support, Discretionary Grants management, and Host Employment placement services. Aligned with B-BBEE compliance and SETA funding requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% job placement rate after graduation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Primary regulatory accreditation body for occupational qualifications in South Africa. QCTO accreditation ensures all Africa Skills qualifications meet national standards and are recognized by employers across the country.
• MERSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSector Education and Training Authority providing accreditation and funding support for manufacturing and engineering qualifications.
• AgriSETAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural Sector Education and Training Authority supporting agriculture qualifications and skills development in the agri-sector.
• CETA (Construction Education and Training Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction sector SETA providing accreditation and funding for building and construction trade qualifications.
• EWSETA (Energy and Water SETA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy and water sector training authority supporting qualifications in electrical and plumbing trades.
• WRSETA (Wholesale and Retail SETA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholesale and retail sector training authority.
• ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional body for bookkeepers supporting business and finance qualifications.
• UXI Artisan Development GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization providing strategic direction, brand support, and network of vocational training campuses across South Africa including IIB, MCD, IETI, FFA, PT, Durnacol, and Africa Skills.
• CTU Training SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional learning partner within the UXI network offering additional training solutions.
• IMM (Institute of Marketing Management)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner for marketing qualifications with campuses in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
• Open WindowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative and digital education partner with campuses in South Africa and Zambia.
• Commerce EdgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional learning partner for commerce and business qualifications.
• Life Changing Properties NPCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNPC partner for the Adopt an Artisan donation programme, facilitating Section 18A tax certificates for qualifying donations.
• Host EmployerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCompanies providing 70% of practical workplace training for learners, creating employment pathways and industry-aligned skills development.
• Additional SETAs (MictSeta, LG Seta, MQA, Service Seta, Teta, HWSeta, FP&M Seta, INSETA, Cathsseta)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdditional sector education and training authorities providing accreditation and funding support across various industries including ICT, local government, mining, services, transport, health, finance, media, and hospitality.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Boston City Campus & Business College:

Broad incumbents

• Damelin: Damelin is one of South Africa's largest private colleges offering vocational, technical, and business qualifications across multiple campuses. Comparable to Africa Skills because both serve individual learners with accredited trades and business programmes, but Damelin operates at significantly larger scale and broader scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/africa.skills
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/africaskills

Compliance16 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Africa Skills