JSE- and LSE-listed financial services firm Investec has launched Invest-ED – a national programme designed to support South Africa’s grade 8 to 12 learners and their parents or guardians, with guidance, confidence and future-focused thinking, to drive more meaningful participation in the economy.

The Invest-ED launch took place on the eve of the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on February 12.

Investec says the SoNA subsequently reinforced education, skills development and youth employment as key priorities for national progress.

President Cyril Ramaphosa cited progress on youth pathways, including over 2.5-million opportunities through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, mainly for young people and women, and an 88% Matric pass rate in 2025, the highest on record.

Investec points out that the President also called for a “skills revolution”, including stronger workplace-linked training, alongside continued focus on early learning, literacy and numeracy.

Hence, the company notes that Invest-ED is designed to build on this momentum by helping learners and parents navigate the link between education choices, skills development and work readiness, so that more young people can access opportunities in a changing economy.

“The case for action is clear. South Africa’s growth underperformance has cost the country millions of jobs and those [younger than] 34 make up the majority of the unemployed.

“For young people, that reality makes skills, adaptability and early guidance even more important,” says Investec Private Bank in South Africa head Itumeleng Merafe.

“The world of work is changing quickly, and young people need guidance that keeps up. Invest-ED is designed to help learners and parents start earlier, make more informed subject and career choices and build the confidence to navigate what comes next.”

Bringing together local and international experts, industry voices and educators, Invest-ED offers practical guidance on emerging and evolving careers, future skills and entrepreneurship.

Investec says the content focuses on evolving career paths and the skills that will matter most, with accessible guidance for both learners and parents.

Through keynote sessions, thought leadership and real-world career insights, the programme is designed to help families navigate both the opportunities and disruptions shaping tomorrow’s workplace.

Content from Invest-ED will also be made available through the Investec website, to support continued learning beyond the live sessions.

The company notes that the first Invest-ED live-streamed event brought together more than 4 000 learners, alongside parents and educators across South Africa, introducing the programme’s ambition to move beyond generic career lists and offer practical insight, future-focused thinking and confidence.

Broadcast on February 11 from Stark Studios, in Randburg, Gauteng, the event was accessible to participating schools hosting group viewings to support engagement during the pilot, as well as parents and families who registered online.

Investec says it intends to build on this foundation and scale to more schools and students across South Africa over time so more learners, parents and educators can benefit.

Speakers at the pilot event included international behavioural scientist Mike Hughes, quantum education leader Elisa Torres Durney and medical specialists Dr Simon Fraser and Dr Angelo Apostoleris, covering decision-making in an AI-enabled workplace, emerging technology pathways and how traditional professions are changing.

Across the programme, the message to learners was practical – stay curious, keep learning and be open to new opportunities as technology reshapes careers and industries, says Investec.

“Legacy is measured not only in what we leave, but in the guidance, skills and opportunities we pass on to the next generation. Equipping young people to succeed is how we move the nation forward,” says Merafe.