Government has launched the Just Energy Transition (JET) Skills Desk and Advisory Forum to address the shortage of skills needed for renewable energy, grid expansion and emerging green industries.
The JET Skills Desk, housed in the Department of Higher Education and Training, will act as an operational hub. Its priorities include reskilling workers in vulnerable value chains, developing labour market intelligence and reforming curricula to align with sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen and new energy vehicles.
The Advisory Forum, under the Human Resource Development Council, will bring together government, business, labour and civil society to ensure alignment and monitor implementation. Government also plans to establish skills development zones in Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape to link training directly with employment in new energy industries.
“The Just Energy Transition should not only be measured by how many megawatts of renewable energy we install but also by how many lives are improved and communities empowered,” Deputy President Paul Mashatile said at the launch, emphasising that skills development is central to keeping pace with the transition.
Mashatile acknowledged that no dedicated budget has been allocated, making blended finance essential. Public investment will set the framework with private and philanthropic funding supporting delivery. The launch also introduced the Multi-Donor Initiative – a partnership between South Africa, the European Union, Germany and Switzerland, implemented by GIZ to provide funding and technical support.
