BluLever Educations
Vocational apprenticeships for in-demand artisan trades.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | investor | €0.0 | round |
* | N/A | Seed | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
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BluLever Education is a South African startup founded in 2018 by Jess Roussos and Adam Collier to address the nation's skilled artisan shortage and high youth unemployment. Both founders have a background with the African Leadership University, which informed their approach to transforming vocational training. The company provides accredited, demand-led apprenticeship programs in trades such as plumbing, electrical, and automotive mechanics.
The business model focuses on a holistic educational approach that combines technical training with essential soft skills, such as entrepreneurship and communication, to prepare students for the modern workforce. Its curriculum includes an intensive 8-week "Leadership Base Camp" to prepare candidates for their apprenticeships. Apprentices spend a significant portion of their three-year program, approximately 75%, in on-the-job training, ensuring they gain practical experience. BluLever facilitates connections with industry partners to secure apprenticeships and full-time positions for its graduates.
The company operates a 2,000-square-meter campus in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, which serves as its headquarters and primary training facility. It targets young South Africans, with a notable focus on increasing female participation in male-dominated trades; over 30% of its apprentices are women, compared to an industry average of less than 10%. Revenue is generated through its training programs, and the company is backed by venture capital and foundation investments from entities like the Autodesk Foundation, A to Z Impact, the elea Foundation, and Oppenheimer Generations.
Keywords: vocational training, artisan education, apprenticeships, skills development, South Africa, youth unemployment, plumbing training, electrical training, automotive mechanics, soft skills development, technical education, workforce development, impact investing, education technology, women in trades, job placement, professional certification, demand-led training, entrepreneurship skills, holistic education