Rédaction Africa Links 24 with sabcnews.com
Published on 2024-02-01 11:30:41
The Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Buti Manamela, recently addressed the progress the department has made in tackling the challenges of youth unemployment and scarce skills in South Africa. This was during the World Skills South Africa National Competition in Durban. The competition involved over 200 young people from different parts of the country competing in over 20 artisan skills, with winners representing the country at the World Skills competition in France in September.
Manamela highlighted the importance of learning from other countries on how to organize skills production, especially in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, as well as collaborating with the private sector to place young people in the workplace for immediate employment upon graduation. He emphasized the impact of World Skills as an institution in revolutionizing skills development in the country.
The competition showcased some of the country’s most scarce skills, including robotics, welding, aircraft maintenance, and electrical work. The overarching goal is to foster a new generation of artisans and expand the TVET sector in South Africa. Young participants shared their experiences, with one artisan expressing how vocational training enabled him to become his own boss and assist people in rural areas through his electrician skills. Another participant lamented the lack of information about scarce skills and expressed a desire for the government to do more in informing the youth about the opportunities available in these areas.
The South African government has set a target of nurturing 30,000 artisans annually by 2030 through programs like World Skills South Africa. The Deputy Minister reiterated the importance of collaboration with the private sector to address youth unemployment and the skills gap. He also encouraged young people to consider TVET colleges as a viable option for their education, pointing out that many graduates from these institutions are able to find immediate employment in various technical fields.
Manamela’s remarks underscore the government’s commitment to investing in skills development and vocational training as a means of addressing youth unemployment and creating opportunities for young people in the country. The World Skills South Africa National Competition serves as a platform for showcasing the talents and capabilities of young artisans while also providing valuable insights into the skills development landscape in South Africa. As the country continues to work towards meeting its artisanal targets, World Skills and similar initiatives are playing a crucial role in shaping the future of the workforce and empowering young people to pursue careers in vocational fields.
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