South Africa is facing a national crisis of youth unemployment. In the first quarter of this year, a staggering 46.1% of youth aged 15 to 34 were unemployed, amounting to roughly 4.8 million young people. Alarmingly, in provinces such as the North West and Eastern Cape, these figures are even higher, reaching 58.8% and 54.3%, respectively.

Amid this reality, Stallion Integrated is leading a bold response through its Learning Centre in Johannesburg, a dynamic, industry-aligned training initiative that is equipping young people with accredited skills, real-world experience, and a renewed sense of direction.

Established to bridge the widening gap between education and employment, the Stallion Learning Centre is more than a skills hub; a platform for personal and professional transformation. It will particularly benefit youth from disadvantaged backgrounds seeking meaningful participation in South Africa’s economy, especially within the growing and evolving security sector.

“At Stallion Integrated, we see the untapped potential in young people,” says Dr Stefan Jacobs, Head of the Stallion Integrated Learning Centre. “The Centre was founded to meet a real need: to create opportunity where there has been very little, and to do so with dignity, structure, and long-term impact.”

The Centre offers a suite of accredited qualifications, including National Certificates in Security Practices, Occupational Certificates in Access Control, Patrol and Asset Protection, and PSIRA Grades E to C. Uniquely, these programmes follow a blended learning model that combines classroom instruction with practical on-the-ground experience, ensuring that graduates are both qualified and job-ready.

“Our learners leave with far more than just a certificate,” adds Dr Jacobs. “They gain purpose, self-belief, and essential life skills - from communication and financial literacy to emotional resilience. We also support them with CV-writing and interview preparation to help them take the next step with confidence.”

Support at the Centre is holistic and designed to remove barriers to learning. For those facing financial hardship, essentials such as uniforms, materials, and mentorship are provided, allowing every learner to participate fully and with dignity. Trainers also serve as mentors, helping learners navigate their personal development as well as their professional training.

“We focus on developing integrity, discipline, and emotional maturity,” says Dr Jacobs. “These are not just workplace competencies; they are life tools. Our goal is to develop professionals who are not only employable, but capable of becoming leaders in their communities.”

As the security industry rapidly embraces innovation - from AI-enhanced surveillance to integrated digital systems - the Centre is preparing to launch technology-forward training modules. These will ensure learners remain relevant in a changing job market and are equipped for the digital security landscape of the future.

Looking ahead, Stallion Integrated is working to expand the Learning Centre into a continent-wide hub for professional training, industry innovation, and youth empowerment. The long-term vision is to give every aspiring security professional in Africa access to the kind of high-impact, holistic development currently offered in South Africa.

“This is more than a training programme; it’s a nation-building mission. When we invest in young people, we’re not only changing individual lives, but strengthening families, uplifting communities, and laying the groundwork for a more confident, resilient South Africa,” concludes Dr Jacobs.