Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated1 hour agoA shift in South Africa’s skills development: Bridging the gap for youth opportunities

A decisive shift is underway in South Africa’s skills development sector, as government and industry leaders move to strengthen delivery and ensure training programmes translate into real opportunities for young people. The workshop, convened by the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA), brought together key stakeholders from across the public sector and industry, all aligned on one goal: improving how skills programmes are planned, managed and delivered. Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mimmy Gondwe, emphasised the importance of this shift, underscoring that the true value of skills development lies in its impact on people’s lives.

“We invest billions into skills development, but investment alone does not produce outcomes. We cannot continue to measure success by the number of students we enrol or the certificates we issue. The real measure of success is whether learners transition into meaningful employment and sustainable livelihoods.” Her remarks reinforced a growing consensus that the system must evolve not by abandoning its foundation, but by strengthening its ability to deliver results where it matters most.

Central to this effort is a sharper focus on project management, seen as a critical tool to bridge the gap between policy ambition and implementation. “We have put together this workshop as a launching pad to build our project management capabilities. What we want to build is an alternative way of doing things differently.”