Manamela to launch Mpumalanga Skills Development Zone

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela will launch the Mpumalanga Skills Development Zone (SDZ) on Thursday as government seeks to strengthen skills development and respond to changing demands in the energy sector.

The initiative, led by the Just Energy Transition (JET) Skills Desk, is being established in partnership with the Mpumalanga Provincial Government to bring together government, education and training institutions, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), industry, organised labour and development partners.

The launch will take place at the Nkangala District Municipality offices at 9am on October 29.

Nkangala District Municipality will serve as the initial anchor locality, with Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete local municipalities participating in the first phase of implementation. Nkangala TVET College will serve as the anchor education and training institution.

In a statement, the Ministry of Higher Education and Training said the launch will culminate in a joint declaration of commitment by Manamela, Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu and Nkangala District Municipality Executive Mayor Thomas Ngwenya.

The declaration is expected to establish a shared understanding of the zone's governance arrangements, institutional responsibilities, implementation priorities and resource requirements.

It will also seek to mobilise support for the Mpumalanga Regional Skills Plan and related skills development programmes.

Manamela is expected to outline how the Just Energy Transition is creating demand for new skills, including those required by artisans, technicians and engineers, and how the post-school education and training system is responding to emerging opportunities.

The establishment of the zone is intended to strengthen coordination between training institutions, government and industry to ensure that skills development responds to regional economic needs.