As part of this initiative, YES and partners hosted a workshop on 3 September 2024 to discuss the "Strategic Benefits of Dual TVET in Addressing Labour Market Needs and Enhancing Youth Employment in the Gauteng Region." The workshop covered topics such as aligning TVET programmes with labour market demands, improving youth employability, and scaling Dual TVET initiatives in Gauteng, with an invitation extended to stakeholders to contribute to discussions aimed at driving socio-economic development in Alexandra and Soweto.
A high-level discussion was held on aligning Dual TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) programmes with labour market demands. The workshop, hosted by the Youth Employment Service (YES), explored solutions to improve youth employability in Gauteng. Co-hosted by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the National Business Initiative (NBI), and CCI Spain, the event brought together education, industry, and government leaders to address South Africa's skills gap and workforce integration challenges.
Nozipho Khumalo from DHET opened the workshop by discussing the pivotal role TVET programmes play in addressing South Africa’s growing demand for skilled labour. She highlighted the need for these programmes to remain relevant and adaptable to the changing needs of key industries, particularly in engineering, manufacturing, and technology, where there is a high demand for skilled workers.
A panel discussion followed, in which key industry needs were identified, and TVET institutions were urged to customise their training to better meet these demands.
The panellists emphasized the importance of fostering partnerships between educational institutions and industry players to ensure that graduates are equipped with competitive skills that align with current labour market trends.
Youth employability was the focus of the second session, where Dr. Anthony Gewer from NBI detailed efforts to improve employment opportunities for young South Africans, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. He stressed the importance of clear pathways from education to employment, ensuring that the skills young people acquire meet the needs of the labour market.
The event concluded with YES leading a session on strategies for scaling and sustaining Dual TVET programmes in Gauteng. Panellists stressed the importance of curriculum updates and stronger government support to keep these programmes responsive to labour market shifts.
Public-private partnerships were highlighted as key to ensuring a smooth transition from education to employment, and the event underscored the need for ongoing collaboration between businesses, government, and educational institutions to reduce youth unemployment and build a skilled workforce.