Skills partnership opens green-economy pathways for Bay engineering graduates

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber have launched the Adopt a Skill Initiative to help close the country’s technical skills gap and prepare graduates for employment in the evolving green economy.

Closing the gap between education and employment

The initiative responds to the disconnect between higher education and the changing skills required by employers. While millions of South Africans remain unemployed, including thousands of graduates, businesses continue to experience shortages of work-ready technical talent. This constrains productivity, investment and economic growth.

Through the programme, 20 unemployed graduates with qualifications in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, chemical engineering, industrial engineering and analytical chemistry will receive specialised training through uYilo, South Africa’s national electric mobility programme.

After successfully completing the training, participants will be placed with Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber member companies for four to six months of structured workplace experience. They will receive monthly stipends funded through the programme.

The initiative aims to build foundational competencies and sustainable career pathways in Just Energy Transition skills and emerging technologies. It will also help participating businesses develop a pipeline of future-ready technical talent.

Collaboration creates employment pathways

Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber Chief Executive Officer Denise van Huyssteen says the partnership demonstrates the value of collaboration in addressing one of the country’s most significant barriers to inclusive economic growth.

“South Africa cannot afford a situation where businesses are searching for critical skills while talented young graduates remain locked out of the economy. Bridging that gap requires meaningful partnerships that connect education, industry and practical workplace experience.

“The Adopt a Skill Initiative is far more than a training programme. It is an investment in young people, business competitiveness and the long-term resilience of our economy.

“By combining specialised technical training with real workplace exposure, we are creating pathways into sustainable employment while helping employers build the skilled workforce required to compete in an increasingly technology-driven and low-carbon economy.”

Van Huyssteen says the programme aligns with the Chamber’s commitment to developing future talent and supporting inclusive economic participation.

“As industries continue to evolve, the demand for new technical and digital capabilities will increase. Preparing young professionals for these opportunities is essential if South Africa is to unlock the full potential of the Just Energy Transition.

“We must ensure that economic transformation creates shared prosperity rather than widening inequality. We are proud to partner with the International Labour Organization on an initiative that delivers practical outcomes for young people while supporting the growth and competitiveness of our member companies and the broader regional economy.”

Supporting a just and inclusive transition

Partnerships that connect skills development with workplace opportunities help ensure that young people acquire competencies aligned with industry standards. This strengthens their employability, supports South Africa’s transition to a greener economy and creates pathways into decent work.

International Labour Organization Pretoria Office Director Alexio Musindo says social justice must remain at the centre of the transition.

“A Just Energy Transition must be anchored in social justice, ensuring that young people have the skills and opportunities to access decent and productive work.

“Through the Adopt a Skill Initiative, the ILO is helping to bridge the skills-to-employment gap while supporting a greener, more inclusive economy that leaves no one behind.”

Musindo says the transition to a greener and more sustainable economy must create opportunities for young people.

“The Adopt a Skill Initiative provides an important bridge between technical education and the workplace by combining specialised training with structured workplace experience.

“This strengthens graduate employability while helping businesses develop the talent they need to respond to the evolving demands of the Just Energy Transition.

“Investing in young people’s skills and access to decent work is not only an investment in their future, but also in the productivity, resilience and inclusive growth of South Africa’s economy. Partnerships such as this can help ensure that the benefits of economic and technological transformation are broadly shared.”