Youth investment is a long-term growth strategy

Young people are central to South Africa’s future, and to ours. With youth unemployment remaining one of the country’s most pressing challenges, we know that enabling access to skills, work experience, and enterprise support is one of the most direct ways we can contribute to inclusive, sustainable growth.

We see youth development not as an obligation, but as a strategic priority. When we invest in young people, in their education, careers, and ideas, we’re investing in long-term social stability, talent pipelines, and innovation capacity for the energy sector and beyond.

In 2024, we invested:

• R173 million in bursaries, internships, learnerships, and training

• R402 million in broader employee development

But beyond the numbers is the impact. in classrooms, workplaces, and small businesses, where potential becomes progress.

Investing in tomorrow’s professionals today

We know that long-term transformation requires a talent pipeline built on depth and practical experience. That’s why our Professionals in Training (PIT) programme provides a three-year, structured blend of academic theory and real-world application across key areas including engineering, geology, finance, and environmental science.

In 2024:

•       82 graduates were part of the Professionals in Training talent pipeline

•       The programme’s total investment reached R64 million

Each Professional in Training participant is supported by a technical coach and exposed to multiple operational environments. In addition to technical training, leadership and management development form an integral part of the journey, with qualifying participants supported to become registered professional engineers.

“It is here that I was entrusted with leading an innovative project that resonates deeply with Exxaro’s vision for a sustainable future: the development of a Proof of Concept for converting a diesel Light Delivery Vehicle (LDV) into a fully electric vehicle. This experience has not only expanded my technical and leadership capabilities, but also allowed me to contribute meaningfully to Exxaro’s decarbonisation goals. Being part of a company, that values innovation has made this journey both professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling”

- Duduzile Nxumalo

Supporting access to education

We continue to invest in initiatives that open doors to quality education for youth across South Africa. Our Edumap partnership supports previously disadvantaged matriculants through a bridging programme focused on maths and science. In 2024, we supported 20 learners through Edumap, with 21 full-time bursaries awarded for tertiary studies to Edumap graduates and youth from our host communities.

We also provided R9.3 million in bursaries to address critical engineering skills shortages and supported 56 full-time bursars across mining and engineering disciplines.

Creating entry points into the workplace

We’re proud to partner with Yes4Youth, a national initiative that places unemployed youth in 12-month structured work experiences. In 2024, these placements spanned departments like sustainability, logistics, HR, and environmental services.

To further support development, we provided Yes4Youth participants access to our Powering Knowledge e-learning platform, which achieved a 94% utilisation rate, enabling self-led skills development and digital learning.

Empowering Entrepreneurs and SMMEs

Youth development includes helping young people build businesses, not just careers.

Our partnership with SME.TAX, launched in 2024, supports 50 youth through a two-year programme designed to build tax literacy, business compliance skills, and entrepreneurial readiness. The goal is clear: help participants find employment or start their own cooperatives and ventures. Many have already gone on to secure jobs or begin small businesses.

Alongside this, Lularides, another youth-focused partner, trained 250 young people in motorcycle operation, equipping them with learner’s licences and delivery certifications. Of those trained, 200 completed the programme, with most securing work with delivery platforms like Mr D in Centurion, Soweto, Middelburg, Witbank, and Secunda.

These partnerships reflect our commitment to inclusive, sustainable growth and our belief that entrepreneurship is a powerful tool for change.

Stronger through partnership

Our development approach is strengthened by collaboration, with non-profits, service providers, and government entities. We align our programmes not only with our business goals, but also with South Africa’s national socio-economic priorities.

In 2024, we received R55.3 million in training grants through the Mining Qualifications Authority, following the successful submission of our Workplace Skills Plan and Annual Training Report. These grants directly enhance our ability to expand access to skills, training, and career opportunities, particularly within our host communities.

Looking ahead

Our commitment to youth is about building lasting, scalable impact. We’ll continue investing in human capital through education, enterprise, training, and mentorship because we know this is how long-term transformation happens: one learner, one graduate, one entrepreneur at a time.

Explore our full 2024 ESG Report to learn more about the people, programmes, and partnerships driving youth development forward:

https://investor.exxaro.com/integrated-reports2024/esg/index.php