Applications open 25/01/2026

OUR PROGRAM GIVES YOU CONTROL OF YOUR GAP YEAR

KITSO GAP YEAR HELPS MATRICULANTS STUDY FURTHER, GAIN SKILLS TO GET EMPLOYED AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS.

Why Matric Students Choose Kitso

Many matriculants leave school uncertain about their next step, and as a result they find themselves taking gap year after gap year or giving up completely. Kitso provides clarity, skills, and direction for the future.

0%

of matric students are unsure about their career path

1 in 0

matriculants do not enter tertiary education immediately

0%

of employers value practical skills alongside qualifications

About the Kitso Gap Year Program

KITSO GAP YEAR is an organization that runs an annual gap year program that helps matriculants study further, find employment and create opportunities for themselves and others through entrepreneurship.

To achieve this goal we assist students to apply to bursaries and tertiary education institutions whilst providing career guidance and coaching which helps students make confident decisions about their future.

KITSO provides hybrid short courses that have an online and an offline face to face component, allowing us to train matriculants not only in digital skills but physical skills as well.

If you matriculated between 2020 and 2025 you are invited to apply for this program.

APPLY
Students learning practical skills
Hands-on training session
Career development workshop

How We Help You Move Forward

We help matric students transition confidently into further study, employment, or entrepreneurship with practical support at every step.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you want to study further, find work, or create your own opportunities, the Kitso Gap Year Program is here to support you.

Our Free Short Courses

Our courses are designed to give matric students real-world, job-ready skills that open doors to further study, employment and entrepreneurship.

Kitso Gap Year Program Schedule

This schedule highlights the main focus areas from March to December, prioritizing courses, tertiary applications, and job readiness. A more thorough, detailed schedule will be provided to students upon enrollment.

March

Program Launch & Orientation

Students are welcomed to the program, introduced to mentors, and receive an overview of what to expect. Initial assessments are conducted to identify strengths and areas of interest.

April

Tertiary Applications Preparation

Focus is on assisting students with university, TVET, and college applications. Workshops cover course selection, meeting deadlines, and preparing strong applications.

May

Skill-Building Courses

Students engage in practical courses such as Computer Essentials, Nail Technology & Salon Skills, and Electronics Repair, building hands-on experience.

June

Job Readiness & Career Guidance

Workshops on CV writing, interview preparation, and workplace etiquette. Students start networking and exploring part-time or internship opportunities.

July

Advanced Skill Application

Students apply their skills in real-world scenarios through projects, team exercises, and community-based learning.

August

Entrepreneurship & Opportunity Creation

Focus on helping students develop small business ideas, freelancing skills, and community initiatives to create income and opportunities for themselves and others.

September

Tertiary Application Follow-Up & Job Placement

Follow-up sessions for tertiary applications, including guidance on interviews and documentation. Employers and partners are invited for job placement opportunities.

October

Practical Workshops & Mentorship

Continued hands-on learning in courses and mentorship meetings to support students’ progress and personal development plans.

November

Career Readiness & Entrepreneurship Refinement

Students finalize CVs, practice interviews, and refine business or project ideas. Emphasis on ensuring every student has a clear path forward.

December

Program Completion & Next Steps

Final assessments, reflections, and graduation. Students receive certificates and guidance on next steps, including tertiary studies, job placement, or entrepreneurship projects.

Students learning and collaborating
Applications are open

Build Skills. Explore Opportunities. Shape Your Future.

Join the Kitso Gap Year Program and gain practical skills, mentorship, and career guidance to confidently step into your next chapter.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Any matric student looking to gain practical skills, guidance on tertiary applications, and career readiness can join.
We offer courses in Computer Essentials, Nail Technology & Salon Skills, Electronics Repair, and other practical skill areas.
Yes a non-refundable application fee of R150 is required after your application has been reviewed and accepted.
The program is free but what we have seen in the past is that most people recognize the value that they can get from the program but would not attend their classes. So the R150 aplication fee is meant to discourage individuals who never finish what they start from applying.
This program is open for any south african who completed their matric from the year 2020 to 2025.
The only thing you will need is a device that can connect to the internet eg. a laptop or smart phone and an internet connection eg data or wifi. You may need to write notes during the program so a fresh note pad or exercise book will come in handy as well. A lot of the activities in the program happen online but you will need to printout a few documents, so having access to a printer, library or internet cafe will be important.
Yes, we offer entrepreneurship support and guidance so students can create opportunities for themselves and others.
Volunteering will be paid or unpaid depending on the project you would be working on. You should think of our volunteering opportunities as essentially internships that can either be paid or unpaid, they provide you with an opportunity to put all the skills we teach to the test and contributes towards your work experience.
We dedicate a lot of time to career development and figuring out which courses, institutions may be right for you. We also help matriculants in the program apply for tertiary education and bursaries. But, the most important thing that we do is we prepare matriculants for tertiary education helping them get the most out of their learning. Roughly 30% of students graduate on time at universities and at tvet colleges the graduation numbers for NC(V) courses are 11.1% and for NATED (N4-N6) it is roughly 49%. Preparing for tertiary can and does make a difference on your chances of graduating on time and going on to build a career.
Yes, we offer entrepreneurship support and guidance so students can create opportunities for themselves and others.
Yes, we offer entrepreneurship support and guidance so students can create opportunities for themselves and others.