The Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) brought together key stakeholders from the chemical industry, government, and educational institutions to review the organisation’s achievements and chart the path forward for 2025.
CHIETA CEO, Yershen Pillay.
At the 2024 AGM of the CHIETA, CEO Yershen Pillay highlighted the organisation’s significant progress over the past year, particularly its commitment to fostering sustainable livelihoods through its financial integrity and clean audit for 2024. CHIETA’s contributions to South Africa’s skills development landscape was also highlighted.
The AGM emphasised CHIETA’s clean audit for 2024, reaffirming its commitment to good governance and financial accountability. Pillay emphasised that “clean audits should not only reflect good governance but also translate into long-term, sustainable livelihoods for South Africans, especially the most vulnerable.” This commitment is demonstrated through CHIETA's strategic investments in skills development and innovation.
Key milestones presented at the AGM included:
- Employment and Youth Empowerment: CHIETA successfully trained and upskilled over 75 000 people in the chemical sector, of which 74% are youth. These people have acquired new skills that will significantly improve their employability and quality of life, contributing to employment creation and entrepreneurial opportunities across the country. CHIETA's programmes continue to make a meaningful difference in addressing youth unemployment and fostering inclusive growth. These efforts support South Africa’s national development goals.
- Green Hydrogen Initiatives: CHIETA reinforced its leadership in green hydrogen through collaborations with industry and government. The organisation’s Green Hydrogen Centre of Specialisation, launched earlier this year, is set to position South Africa as a global player in the green energy sector.
- Innovation and Digital Transformation: The AGM highlighted CHIETA’s strides in addressing the digital divide by equipping artisans and workers with future-ready skills, especially in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and smart manufacturing. CHIETA’s investments in Smart Skills Centres are expected to revolutionise skills training in the sector.
Reflecting on these achievements, Yershen Pillay said, “CHIETA continues to lead the way in driving inclusive growth and skills development for the chemical industry. Our work in green hydrogen and digital innovation is setting new benchmarks for the future, ensuring our workforce is resilient, adaptable, and globally competitive.”
The AGM also provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities within the industry. Wezi Khoza, Chairperson of CHIETA, expressed gratitude to all partners and stakeholders for their ongoing collaboration, particularly in addressing South Africa’s skills shortages and advancing green and digital skills initiatives.
Looking ahead, CHIETA reaffirmed its commitment to:
- Expanding its Green Hydrogen programmes and partnerships.
- Furthering its efforts in digital reskilling and artificial intelligence training.
- Empowering marginalised communities through skills development programs focused on employment and entrepreneurship.
The AGM concluded with a call for continued collaboration between government, industry, and education institutions to drive transformation and growth in South Africa’s chemical industry.
