Education and skills training

Sol Plaatje University celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023.

As part of a programme to spread skills to young people living in rural areas, an eco-friendly SMART Skills Centre is to be built in Sabie, the centre of the timber sector in Mpumalanga. The timber structure is the result of a partnership between the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) and the South African Forest Company Limited (SAFCOL).

CHIETA aims to provide digital technology and online learning to help young people compete in the job market and the Mpumalanga SMART Skills Centre is just one of several that are being initiated across the country. Among the forestry-related skills that the centre will focus on are drone operators, but it will also respond to national skills needs such as fitters and turners. SAFCOL will cover the cost of erecting the eco-friendly wooden structure and CHIETA will supply the equipment.

In November 2023, the Decade of the Artisan Programme will have run its course. The Department of Higher Education and Training set targets for skilled graduates and established Centres of Specialisation at Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges around the country.

For example, ORBIT TVET College in the North West offers diesel mechanic training at its Mankwe campus and electrical training at Brits as part of the Centre of Specialisation programme. Centres of Specialisation aim to produce:

• A skilled and capable workforce

• Increased availability of intermediate-level technical skills

• Increased delivery of qualified artisans in 13 priority trades

In KwaZulu-Natal the Elangeni TVET College has achieved trade test centre accreditation in two disciplines, Welding and Electrical, and in 2023, had 50 artisans in training. Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Bla de Nzimande has called on principals of TVET colleges to prioritise work placements for students.

Beyond TVET colleges, the private sector actively offers training in basic and advanced skills. Shorter courses such as the twoweek bricklaying course offered by cement-maker PPC are greatly appreciated by job-seekers, all the more so because the courses are free. PPC is working together with the private Motheo Academy in Johannesburg. Other courses for small business owners or “bakkie builders” are offered, such as construction management.

Sector Insight

South Africa has three types of public universities.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has established a Learning Factory to support companies in training staff in relevant and up-to-date skills. The training is offered free and via a variety of methods: online, virtual, hybrid and practical training on the CSIR campus in Pretoria. Among the subjects covered are the Internet of Things, Digital Lifestyle Management, Additive Manufacturing and Big Data Analytics.

The Southern African Wildlife College, offering diploma and short courses in conservation, is a joint World Wide Fund for Nature South