South Africa’s ICT sector is evolving at lightning speed – and for parents thinking about their children’s future careers, this is an industry worth watching closely.

A new report from The Collective X highlights “zones of opportunity” for young jobseekers – areas in tech where demand is strong, applications are relatively low, and entry-level hiring is happening right now.

While traditional roles like software and web development, business analysis, and data analytics continue to offer solid prospects, the real eye-catchers are in emerging specialisations. Jobs in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud development, and data science are proving more open to early-career candidates than you might expect. Why? Employers – especially small and medium-sized businesses – are finding it more cost-effective to train promising young recruits than to compete for high-priced experienced hires.

Why ICT sector skills are vital for your child’s future

However, there’s a catch. Speaking on HOT Business with Jeremy Maggs, powered by Standard Bank, Rob Urquhart, Executive for Impact and Learning at The Collective X, warns of a growing gap between the skills the market needs and what the education system is producing. South Africa’s overall higher-education throughput rate is just 24%, meaning far too few young people are graduating with the qualifications required – and even fewer with the specific digital skills in demand.

This could deepen the digital divide, shutting out those without access to quality education, devices, or affordable data. Yet, there’s also hope: technology itself could make learning more accessible, and short-term, agile training programmes may help young people leapfrog into these high-growth areas without lengthy degrees.

For parents, the message is clear: encourage your children to explore digital skills early, seek practical experience, and stay open to alternative training routes. The ICT sector is not just a “sunrise industry” – it could be the gateway to a bright and resilient career.

Listen to the full interview from HOT Business with Jeremy Maggs, below: