Artificial intelligence may dominate global conversations about the future of work, but South Africa’s economy will collapse without skilled trades, warns one of the country’s oldest protective workwear manufacturers. As AI accelerates, Sweet-Orr is calling for balance — urging that while innovation is essential, the nation must not lose sight of the human hands that keep its industries moving.
“Technology and trades must coexist, with digital progress matched by investment in the skilled workforce that powers South Africa’s infrastructure, energy, and industrial sectors,” said Denver Berman-Jacob, Executive Director at Sweet-Orr. He adds that trades remain central to employment and economic stability at a time when South Africa’s official unemployment rate rose to 33.2% in the second quarter of 2025, while the expanded rate, which includes discouraged jobseekers, stands at nearly 43%.
AI Can’t Replace the Human Touch
“We are excited about the future of AI,” says Berman-Jacob. “But while attention is fixed on what’s next, unemployment keeps rising, and we’re not setting up the second generation for opportunity. So the question is, how can we help now, in the meantime? We can do that by building and protecting the sectors that keep South Africa working.”
Berman-Jacob, who is completing his PhD at Erasmus University in the Netherlands, where he has been conducting groundbreaking research on entrepreneurship in transitional and emerging markets, says the country must strike a balance between innovation and inclusion.
“AI is transforming many sectors, but no machine can replace the plumber who fixes your pipes, the electrician who restores your power, or the miners who extract our natural resources. Skilled trades are still the backbone of this economy,” he said.
Building Opportunity, One Generation at a Time
Berman-Jacob warned that South Africa could not afford to leapfrog trades in its pursuit of a services-driven economy. “These industries employ large numbers of people with relatively low skill levels, bringing them into the formal economy. And then the ripple effect begins: one generation works in a factory, and the next moves into law, accountancy, or engineering. That’s how you create inclusion and opportunity.”
Beyond access to work, he said inequality remains one of the biggest challenges almost three decades after democracy. “We are still one of the most unequal societies in the world. Giving people access to the right tools and skills is an indirect way of addressing poverty and inequality. It’s about bringing more South Africans into the formal economy.”
The company’s involvement in skills development stretches back decades. Its on-site training school has operated for decades, producing thousands of graduates who have gone on to work in factories, industries, and other sectors.
“That history shows our commitment to skills development and to building the economy through people. If we can extend that commitment beyond our own factory gates into communities, then we’re fulfilling a national responsibility,” Berman-Jacob said.
The donation, he said, is part of a larger effort to strengthen trades and industries in South Africa, while another is aimed at protecting lives.
R2.5 Million Boost for Trades and Training
Sweet-Orr has committed R2.5 million in protective workwear and safety boots to artisan training schools and skills programmes across the country. The distribution was managed by a non-profit organisation, R-Labs, and aimed to reduce one of the major barriers to entering trade work: the high cost of compliant personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Skills alone are not enough,” Berman-Jacob said. “You cannot access many workplaces without the correct workwear. For start-ups and small businesses, that cost can be prohibitive. By donating PPE, we are removing one of the obstacles preventing people from entering these industries.”
Recent employment data highlights both risk and opportunity in trades. The trade sector shed 52,000 formal jobs in the last quarter, while construction added 55,000 jobs year-on-year, showing that although some industries are under pressure, trades continue to generate opportunities.
More Than Workwear — It’s About Survival
“Workwear could also be a matter of life and death in sectors such as chemicals, electricity, and heat. If you’re working in an environment with chemical spills, arc flash, or flames, the right garment protects you. It’s not just about compliance, it’s about survival.”
The handover of protective workwear to various startups and community groups began in October and continued over the last month.