Abstract: This paper is set in the context of human capital development (HCD) starting at school level. HCD should be focused on a long-term investment for the benefit of the individual as well as the country as a whole. This becomes problematic when the education system fails to develop youth to prosper in a knowledge economy. There is a link between science, education and innovation to develop a quality feeder stock for a national system of innovation. South Africa’s score card in term of global competitiveness is weak compared to other countries and long terms trends in education and innovation are declining at a time of social and economic reform. The Young Engineers and Scientists of Africa are used as a case study, as it focuses on creating a pipeline for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMI) to address issues of creativity and innovation.