Co-creating a just labour transition through the TVET college system

Led by: South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)
Sector:  Energy
Implementing dates: February 2021 - January 2022

The problem: South Africa's coal-intensive economy faces significant challenges transitioning to a green hydrogen economy. Limited capacity within Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to provide industry-relevant skills, combined with inadequate alignment between educational systems and emerging green hydrogen industry needs, threatens the country's ability to achieve a just and inclusive energy transition.

UK PACT’s intervention: The project supported the development of a strategic framework aimed at enhancing the capacity of South Africa's TVET ecosystem. Key actions included conducting skills gap analyses, developing knowledge products, and creating partnerships to align TVET curricula with industry demands. Recommendations, such as establishing Centres of Specialisation (CoS) near hydrogen hubs and integrating green skills into national planning instruments, were developed through engagement with key stakeholders, including government departments and industry players.


Intended long term outcome: By fostering collaboration across sectors, the project aims to create a skilled workforce capable of driving South Africa's green hydrogen economy. These efforts are expected to mitigate job losses in traditional industries, ensure equitable access to emerging opportunities, and support the country's broader goals of economic well-being, ecological resilience, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2050​.

“The project will work with key government institutions and stakeholders to explore skills transition and employment opportunities linked to the future green hydrogen economy and make recommendations to accelerate a just energy transition.”

- Dr Deon Cloete, Head of SAIIA Futures Programme

 

 

SAIIA photo