At the end of August, the South African government officially launched the Just Energy Transition (JET) Skills Desk and National JET Skills Advisory Forum, signalling its strategic commitment to supporting inclusive economic transformation.
The keynote address – delivered by Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, on behalf of Deputy President, Paul Mashatile – highlighted that the energy transition is “not just about megawatts” but is fundamentally about people, communities, and equity.
“It must be about ensuring that no one, including women, youth and vulnerable groups, is left behind,” Manamela said to the audience gathered at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The JET Skills Desk and the National Jet Skills Advisory Forum are two pillars of South Africa’s JET Skills Portfolio. The minister said these structures are operational instruments designed to close the green skills gap that hinders the energy transition, slows competitiveness and risks excluding those most affected by the decline of coal as an energy generation fuel and other allied industries.
“We recognise that skills are the bridge to enable an inclusive transition, economic restructuring and social justice. The post-school education and training system sits at the centre of this transformation. Universities, TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges, community education centres and industry partners must prepare South Africans, especially workers in vulnerable sectors, for new opportunities in renewable energy, green hydrogen, electric vehicles and sustainable industries.”
Manamela said the JET Skills Desk, located within his department, will coordinate the reskilling and upskilling of workers, focusing on preparing them for the opportunities emerging through the energy transition. “It will drive the reskilling and upskilling of adult workers, anticipating skills needs through labour market intelligence, strengthening curricular and educator readiness, and aligning training with industry,” he said.
The aim is to also create skills development zones in provinces like Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape.
The minister noted that government does not currently have a dedicated budget line for the transition, emphasising the need for blended funding with public investment leading the way.
“That is why the mobilisation of blended funding is so important. Public investment must lead, private investment must follow, and philanthropic and development partners must catalyse community-based economies,” he said.
He added that a multi-donor initiative, supported by the European Union, Germany and Switzerland, will assist these efforts and is an indication of international confidence in South Africa’s skills agenda.
“As we move forward to the G20 Summit later this year under South Africa’s Presidency, let us remember the Just Energy Transition must be measured not only by how much power we install, but by how many lives we improve and how many communities we empower.”
On behalf of the Deputy President, Manamela said government is fully committed to ensuring the JET Skills Portfolio fulfils its promise. “We call on all our partners, public and private, local and international, to act with urgency and imagination to ensure the transition is just and to build a greener, fairer and more prosperous South Africa,” he concluded.
For more information visit: www.sanews.gov.za