S skills development
S skills development CHIETA’s Smart Skills Centres have had a huge effect. Please talk to us about the Skills Centres as well as the impacts they have made. The centres have already had a substantial impact in the last financial year, equipping 15 653 rural community members with future-ready skills. They offer interactive and immersive learning experiences using VR, AI and advanced manufacturing tools. These centres address both the present and future needs of the industry by offering on-demand training solutions. The centres have Smart boardrooms for SMMEs to meet, plan and trade. A total of 630 SMMEs have benefitted from the Smart services. When it comes to converting emerging technologies and technology disruption into opportunities for industry, what are the most important elements of this strategy? The key is integration, ensuring new technologies are embedded into our training frameworks, and partnerships with industry 10 | Service magazine
skills development S leaders who can provide insights into real-world applications. CHIETA also ensures that emerging technologies are accessible to learners through our Smart Skills Centres and training programmes, fostering skills in AI, automation and renewable energy. As one of South Africa’s youngest CEOs, what drives you and what do you attribute your success to? When I look into the mirror, I want to see a better innovator who experiments daily with every new opportunity. I want to see a humble person who shows care and concern for others so as to uplift and amplify the potential of people. I bring my personal values into my leadership roles and practice them to achieve good results, high performance and high impact. For instance, being humble can be a leadership strength in which your team wants you to win and supports you in every decision because they feel valued and appreciated by you as their leader. I bring my personal values into my leadership roles and practice them to achieve good results, high performance and high impact. project management. We will be collaborating with the Services SETA to convert their existing Skills Centres in Mkhuze and Prieska into Smart Skills Centres. This is what disruption in skills development and training looks like. S GREEN HYDROGEN CENTRE OF SPECIALISATION Please talk about the Green Hydrogen Centre of Specialisation. The Green Hydrogen Centre of Specialisation is a strategic initiative aimed at positioning South Africa as a global leader in green energy technology. It’s a collaboration between CHIETA, Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) and Transport Education Training Authority (TETA), focusing on developing skills for the hydrogen economy. This centre is central to our efforts in driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. The Green Hydrogen Centre of Specialisation will be the first of its kind globally and will produce the skills needed to grow our nascent green hydrogen economy in South Africa. CHIETA’s new initiatives on green hydrogen have positioned it as an innovation leader in the space. Please discuss CHIETA’s research and initiatives in this regard. CHIETA will be contributing to the growth of the green hydrogen economy through five pathways of development. First, through qualifications development in green hydrogen production. Three new qualifications will be developed by CHIETA. This will include a green hydrogen production practitioner, green hydrogen technology practitioner and a green hydrogen fuel transporter. Second, through awarding discretionary grants for green hydrogen skills development. We have just awarded a R1.8-million grant to Sasol for electrolysis simulators and green hydrogen fuel cell systems. Third, through supporting startups and SMMEs in green hydrogen. We have established a Green Hydrogen Entrepreneurship Fund for this purpose. Fourth, through career guidance in schools, especially rural schools, to build awareness for a hydrogen-empowered society. And our fifth and final intervention will include specific programmes to support women, youth and people with disabilities in green hydrogen. Please outline your partnership with the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA). Our partnership with the Services SETA is focused on cross-sector collaboration to develop transferable skills that can benefit both the chemical and services sectors. By working together, we ensure that skills development is holistic and responds to the needs of multiple industries, particularly in areas like customer service, technology and CHIETA CEO, Yershen Pillay, alongside TETA CEO, Maphefo Anno-Frempong, and MQA CEO, Dr Thabo Mashongoane, spearheaded the establishment of the Green Hydrogen Centre of Specialisation (CoS) project to address the pressing need for hydrogen skills in the country.“As a leader in the provision of training in the chemical industry, we are pleased to work with colleagues from MQA and TETA to help create skills needed to tap into the opportunities in the rapidly emerging hydrogen space,” said Pillay. CHIETA’s leadership in this initiative will ensure the centre offers hybrid training focusing on Continuous Professional Development, aligning with the increasing demand for upskilling and reskilling in the rapidly evolving green hydrogen and derivatives industry. CHIETA’s active involvement in fostering this collaboration is seen as crucial for the CoS’s success. It enables shared resources, expertise, market reach, risk mitigation and alignment with government priorities. These specialised courses will be available at select tertiary institutions and TVET colleges, complementing existing degrees and NQF Level 5 or higher occupational qualifications. This approach underscores a dedication to delivering top-tier training that meets industry needs. The CoS will tackle various aspects of the green hydrogen value chain, drawing on the skills mapping conducted by the Department of Higher Education and Training. By addressing these value chain elements, the CoS establishes itself as a comprehensive training hub. Service magazine | 11
