The Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) welcomes the commitment to skills development by South Africa’s new Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, in her Budget Vote speech.
Effective this financial year, at least 31,884 prospective learners will benefit from the R3.8 billion Comprehensive Student Funding Model, which supports “missing middle” students. This initial commitment to the fund comprises R1.5 billion from the National Skills Fund (NSF) and R2.3 billion from Sector Education Training Authorities (SETAS).
“As CHIETA, we look forward to working with the Minister to create sustainable livelihoods, help create jobs, and alleviate poverty in South Africa. We are determined to provide South Africa with the skills needed to address unemployment,” said CHIETA CEO Yershen Pillay (right).
Pillay said CHIETA was pleased that the Minister is a “lifelong learner” who continues to pursue her studies.
“We are inspired by her vision for the higher education and training sector, which aims to empower graduates to contribute to skills development while enabling the government to make informed decisions to tackle the country’s socio-economic challenges,” Pillay said.
CHIETA also welcomed Dr Mimmy Gondwe’s appointment and Buti Manamela’s reappointment as Deputy Ministers of Higher Education and Training, respectively.
The Comprehensive Student Funding Model will benefit those students from families with incomes of more than R350 000 but not more than R600 000 per annum. The fund covers prospective students for both Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and public university students.
Pillay said CHIETA was aligned to the Minister’s vision of leading post-school education and training which is more integrated, coordinated and articulated for improved economic participation and social development of youth and adults.
“Our mission to provide national strategic leadership in support of the post-school education and training system for improved quality of life of South Africans – as to ensure its realisation. As part of implementing this mandate, we oversee universities, TVET colleges, CET colleges, SETAs, quality councils and private education providers,” the Minister said in Parliament on 16 July.
Pillay added that CHIETA has taken a significant step toward bridging the digital skills gap by inaugurating the Modjadjiskloof Smart Skills Centre at the Letaba TVET College, Modjadi Campus on 19 July. This cutting-edge facility is set to empower youth, particularly in rural areas, with essential digital skills and training relevant to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
“As CHIETA, we are committed to taking SMART Skills centres to rural areas to ensure nobody is left behind in the digital space,” said Pillay.
It brings to six the number of Smart Skills Centres opened in rural South Africa by CHIETA since October 2022, with the first in Saldanha Bay, followed by hi-tech centres in six provinces, the Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North-West and now Modjadjiskloof
“The opening of the Modjadjiskloof Smart Skills Centre is a landmark achievement in our mission to bridge the digital divide. Equipping our youth with essential digital skills is crucial for thriving in today’s job market,” said Pillay.
Motsiri Benjamin Moshoma, Acting-Principal of Letaba TVET College, added, “This centre represents progress for the Letaba community. By providing critical digital skills, we pave the way for an innovative and prosperous future, enabling sustainable livelihoods in our province.”