TRENDING TOPIC TVET
LET’S TALK TVET
THE NORTHERN CAPE GETS A NEW TVET COLLEGE.
T
he frequent narrative is that young people think TVET education is a minimum education. The truth is, the biggest benefit of attending a TVET college is the high focus on the employability of students where part of the curriculum requires students to complete experiential training (internships and apprenticeships) to help build up a CV that can help them land a job. The launch of the Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence (RECE) at the Northern Cape Rural TVET College is a much-welcomed one. With international partnerships, such as the Ferrara and the Bologna universities in Italy, the education and training will be internationally benchmarked against best practices. The Energy & Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA) has partnered with the world's largest renewable energy research centre, the National Renewable Energies Centre (CENER) in Spain. This partnership plays a significant role in research and development of green skills at Northern Cape rural campuses. The facilities give hope to technical ways that we can address climate change. This is an entry point that will offer better economic empowerment of the solar industry. Since the Northern Cape has favourable weather conditions for solar energy, a skilled workforce is vital for the unique opportunity that the centre offers. With the unemployment rate in South Africa rising over 30%, the centre is focused on preparing students to become functional workers and ensuring skilled trained youth. The RECE grants students the opportunity to find their own technical solutions as well as install, maintain and test systems. It also raises awareness and offers full-time vocational training to ensure a successful transition to a green economy.
By: Lusanda Tamesi
Science Stars Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
15
