The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) and the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with a view to building a skilled, future-ready workforce in South Africa’s energy sector. The partnership will support the development of world-class capabilities in nuclear energy and water, positioning South Africa to meet growing demand, drive innovation, and play its part in the global energy transition.
From left: Mpho Mookapele, CEO, EWSETA and Loyiso Tyabashe, CEO, Necsa, signing the MoU.
The MoU establishes a collaborative framework through which Necsa and EWSETA will work together to deliver high-impact education, training, and skills development programmes. The aim is to strengthen the country’s ability to produce the critical, scarce, and future-fit skills needed in the nuclear energy and water sectors, sectors that are integral to national development, energy security, industrial progress, and environmental sustainability.
Key areas of collaboration covered in the agreement are outlined below.
Skills planning and forecasting: Joint efforts to map current and future skills needs in the nuclear energy sector to ensure training initiatives are aligned with emerging industry demands.
Skills delivery and workforce development: Coordinated development of programmes targeting nuclear-specific occupations, including reactor operations, radiation protection, and nuclear engineering.
Enterprise and career development: Promoting entrepreneurship, career awareness, and pathways for young professionals through targeted youth development initiatives and support for small and emerging enterprises.
Collaboration with institutions of higher learning: Strengthening academic-industry links to drive research, innovation, and curriculum development relevant to the nuclear energy and water sectors.
By aligning education and skills development with national priorities, the partnership aims to strengthen the country’s competitiveness, facilitate inclusive economic participation, and equip a new generation of South Africans to lead in specialised, high-technology fields.
Commenting on the significance of the collaboration agreement, Necsa Group Chief Executive Officer, Loyiso Tyabashe, noted: “Collaborating with institutions such as EWSETA through our Necsa Learning Academy is essential to advancing South Africa’s national and socio-economic development agenda. This MoU will enable us to better define and meet the evolving skills needs of the nuclear sector, to ensure the industry has the capacity to support strategic infrastructure and energy goals.”
EWSETA Chief Executive Officer, Mpho Mookapele, concurred, adding: “As a Sector Education and Training Authority, our mandate is to contribute to an inclusive, skilled economy. This partnership with Necsa allows us to design and deliver responsive training that empowers young people, supports the growth of the nuclear energy value chain, and will support South Africa’s readiness for the emerging technological future.”
The partnership reaffirms the commitment of Necsa and EWSETA to playing a catalytic role in advancing South Africa’s nuclear energy and water sectors – unlocking opportunities for skills development, industrialisation, and long-term economic growth.
For more information visit: www.necsa.co.za / www.ewseta.org.za