The South African government has announced several initiatives and funding, to help more graduating students find employment.

The Department of Higher Education and Training has revealed that it has established entrepreneurship hubs at technical, vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, and is reviewing and improving existing college and university curricula to include a special focus on skills required by local employers, communities and the economy.

Related projects include building the ZAR146.9 million Sekhukhune Skills Development Centre in Limpopo, which aims to advance rural development and create sustainable livelihoods in the region. The department has also allocated ZAR90 million to expand and relocate the Imbali Education and Innovation Precinct project in KwaZulu-Natal, which explores alternative education methods based on closer co-operation between educational institutions, with links to science and innovation.

The department has committed to placing 10 000 unemployed TVET students in workplaces; training 900 community education and training college lecturers; and accrediting 35 pilot community learning centres during the 2021/22 financial year.

According to Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, the government’s ‘vision remains that of providing an integrated and co-ordinated post-school education and training system for improved economic participation and social development of the youth and adults’.

31 May 2022
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