In South Africa, focused skills development must play a critical role in building a sustainable green economy and tackling the country’s biggest challenge – an extremely high level of unemployment. Morongoa Ramaboa, Chief Communications Officer at the South Africa Wind Energy Association (SAWEA), highlights that the shift towards a Just Energy Transition presents unprecedented employment opportunities. According to the Just Energy Transition Skilling for Employment Programme (JET SEP), the wind industry could generate between 22 300 and 35 700 jobs by 2030, particularly in construction and end-of-life phases. Additionally, the Integrated Resource Plans (IRP2023 and IRP2024) project the deployment of 69 GW to 76 GW of wind energy capacity by 2050, potentially supporting up to 340 000 jobs. This potential highlights the urgent need to develop a technically skilled, inclusive workforce.
Building the right skills
In this context, SAWEA celebrates the recent approval by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) of the NQF Level 3 Wind Turbine Operator Skills Programme. This programme, also backed by EWSETA bursary and grant funding, provides the financial support needed by many students who come from low-income households, reducing cost barriers and enabling access to further education and training.
Developed through an industry-led process, the programme was initiated by SAWEA’s Social Impact Standing Committee (SISC). A working group of training providers was formed in collaboration with the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA), reinforcing the sector’s commitment to a skills-driven transition.
The newly approved programme introduces an entry-level qualification, offering a practical and accessible route into the wind energy industry without requiring prior technical experience. Helping to demystify renewable energy careers, it will raise awareness in more communities and enable young South Africans to access previously unattainable opportunities.
Grassroots skills development
SAWEA’s Wind Industry Internship Programme is another initiative through which it is growing the future workforce. This programme provides aspiring graduates with hands-on experience across various disciplines in the renewable energy sector. It nurtures talent and contributes to building a skilled and knowledgeable cohort of green professionals prepared to play their part in the industry’s expansion. The programme continues to receive a high number of applications annually, with over 5 000 submitted for the 2025 intake – a big increase from the 256 applications received for the 2024 intake.
However, placement capacity remains limited, with only 29 interns placed in 2024 and 53 in 2025. The significant rise in applications reflects the growing interest in renewable energy careers among South Africa’s unemployed youth. It also underlines the need for greater industry support and collaboration to expand such initiatives, enabling more young people to gain the experience and skills they need to work in the sector.
Noupoort Wind Farm; the wind energy sector opens numerous job opportunities in various fields.
Collaboration for a stronger workforce
Ramaboa points to the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 which provides a framework for national, sectoral, and workplace strategies aimed at improving workforce skills and facilitating recognised occupational qualifications through learnerships. However, she emphasises that addressing the gap between industry demands and post-school education requires collective action.
In this regard SAWEA fosters collaboration through initiatives such as PowerUp, a digital skills facilitation hub that connects industry leaders, education institutions, and key stakeholders to tackle critical skill shortages in the renewable energy sector. Working alongside the EWSETA, SAWEA seeks to strengthen work readiness among youth in training and reinforces the importance of coordinated efforts in developing a skilled workforce for South Africa’s energy transition.
Mpumalanga: a case study in transition
In Mpumalanga, where most of the country’s coal-fired power stations are located and coal has historically been central to the economy, there are now a number of wind energy projects under development. As the province transitions from a coal-based economy to become a renewable energy hub, it presents valuable lessons in skills training and the wider impact of the energy transition, reshaping workforce dynamics and necessitating large-scale reskilling and upskilling efforts.
Studies on this transition highlight the challenges and opportunities. While the shift raises concerns about potential job losses in traditional coal sectors, it also presents substantial prospects for new local employment, value creation, and skills development in the renewable energy space. The Just Energy Transition in Mpumalanga is expected to have significant socio-economic impact particularly in towns like eMalahleni, where coal has long been the focus of the local economy. Targeted workforce empowerment programmes need to be prioritised to enable an inclusive transition.
The province has adopted a proactive approach that demonstrates the importance of strategic planning and collaboration. With 3.3 GW of available grid capacity and additional capacity anticipated from the decommissioning of coal plants by 2030, the province is well-placed for large-scale renewable energy projects. However, complexities around reskilling and upskilling as well as environmental considerations need to be addressed carefully to facilitate the transition.
The transformation of the economy in Mpumalanga illustrates the wider need for industry collaboration, policy alignment, and workforce investment to ensure that no one is left behind. As South Africa moves forward with its energy transition, building an inclusive green economy must remain in focus – empowering individuals through skills development and securing the country’s position as a competitive investment destination for wind and renewable energy.
Looking ahead
Continuing growth in the wind and other renewable energy sectors will require continuing investment in workforce development, to unlock the industry’s full potential. Addressing unemployment, skills gaps, and educational accessibility through targeted initiatives can help to ensure that the transition to renewable energy is inclusive, sustainable, and capable of driving long-term economic growth.
For more information visit: www.sawea.org
