More than R4 million will be invested in green hydrogen research and specialised training through a partnership between the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) and the African Energy Leadership Centre at Wits Business School, CHIETA has announced.
The funding will support one PhD candidate, one postdoctoral fellow and a specialised short course for 20 participants drawn from chemical sector small, medium and micro enterprises, start-ups and entrepreneurial ventures, CHIETA said.
“Green hydrogen has become a strategic focus area because it presents an important opportunity to decarbonise sectors such as transport and agriculture,” said Steven Mathetsa, Senior Lecturer at the African Energy Leadership Centre.
“Equally important is developing the skills, research and policy frameworks that will enable stakeholders, including communities and industry, to adopt these emerging technologies and support South Africa’s Just Energy Transition.”
CHIETA CEO Yershen Pillay said practical experience should accompany formal qualifications as industrial requirements evolve.
“South Africa doesn’t have a skills gap as much as it has an experience gap. We need a workforce that is multi-skilled, adaptable and able to continuously upskill as industries evolve.”
The partnership follows CHIETA’s involvement in the Green Hydrogen Centre of Specialisation established with the Mining Qualifications Authority and Transport Education Training Authority. According to CHIETA, it has also supported an industry-integrated green hydrogen fuel cell training system at Sasol’s Sasolburg operations.
