The Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Buti Manamela, says the department is making progress in tackling the challenges of youth unemployment and scarce skills in the country.
Manamela was speaking in Durban during the World Skills South Africa National Competition.
The competition requires young people from different parts of the country to compete in over 20 artisan skills.
Winners will represent the country at the World Skills competition in France in September this year.
He says, “This helps us not only to learn from other countries on how to organise their skills production, especially TVET colleges but also collaborate with the private sector, placing young people in the workplace so they can be immediately employed once they graduate. World Skills as an institution has made a tremendous skills revolution in the country.”
200 young people from all over the country showcased how best they can do the job in some of the country’s most scarce skills. These include robotics, welding, aircraft maintenance, and electrical.
The goal is to foster a new generation of artisans.
World Skills South Africa is a government-led project aimed at expanding the country’s TVET Colleges sector. These young enthusiasts say choosing a career involving vocational training has assisted them to become their own bosses.
One artisan says, “We were made to think that when you enroll at a TVET college, you are not as intellectually smart as other people. But as I grew up I changed that perception. I live in one of the rural areas in the Eastern Cape, I know how to assist people in the villages through my electrician skills. I don’t like an office job, I work with my hands and I get to make money.”
Another one adds, “I feel like the government could do a little bit more to inform the young stars about the scarce skills. Most of us were never well informed about these skills like myself I was not aware that there is such as thing as an Aircraft Technician.”
VIDEO: 5th World Skills South Africa National Conference:
Through this programme, South Africa has a target of nurturing 30 000 artisans annually by 2030. The Deputy Minister says they are making progress in closing this gap and addressing unemployment.
“This helps us not only to learn from other countries how to organise their skills production, especially TVET colleges collaborating with the private sector, placing young people in the workplace so they can be immediately employed once they graduate. World Skills as an institution has made a tremendous skills revolution in the country.”
Manamela is encouraging young people to consider TVET colleges as the institution of choice.
“I want to encourage parents to look at TVET College and see if I will be helpful to your child. Many of them have produced artisans, technicians, and apprenticeships but also graduates who take up employment immediately. Think about a plumber he earns much more than graduates.”
