SOLAR AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
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Why technical and vocational skills are SA’s growth engine A s matric results and the new school year take centre stage, Kagiso Trust urges learners to look beyond degrees and consider skills-based pathways third of the demand list comprises vocational occupations at NQF Level 5 (one level above matric) and below, many of which require practical skills. “This mismatch between
chosen trade. “We want to get people through from learning to earning as soon as possible,” Naidoo says. Kagiso Trust, one of South Africa’s leading development agencies, says vocational training isn’t limited to traditional trades and it is playing its part in developing skills needed for the digital economy. In Limpopo’s Sekhukhune East Education District, the Trust has trained teachers in coding and robotics, established dedicated robotics labs and equipped schools with ICT infrastructure. It has also supported the Department of Basic Education’s curriculum-strengthening programme, which prioritises skills-based learning and projects. “Technical vocational education encompasses both traditional artisan skills and cutting-edge digital competencies,” says Moitse. “Whether you’re learning to weld or to code, you’re developing practical skills that lead directly to employment or entrepreneurship.” A message to matrics For school-leavers awaiting their results and for the class of 2026 thinking about their post-school options, Moitse has clear advice: “Consider your strengths honestly. Not everyone is suited to academic study and that’s perfectly okay. Research your options thoroughly. Look at what skills are in demand. Remember that vocational skills can lead to better jobs, higher earnings and greater job security than many degrees.” “Technical and vocational education offers a direct pathway to meaningful employment.
what we’re training people to do and what the economy actually needs is costing us dearly,” says Moitse. “It’s trapping young people in unemployment while businesses struggle to find the skills they need to grow.” Revolutionary reforms Moitse points to significant reforms in the area of technical and vocational training. For example, the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) has introduced new qualifications that place greater emphasis on practical skills. Instead of writing four theoretical exams at each level, students now face integrated assessments that simultaneously test theoretical knowledge and practical ability. Crucially, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions will no longer offer courses for which there is no labour market demand. “If we can develop enough qualifications that industry demands, we can guarantee a higher uptake of learners into industry,” QCTO CEO Vijayen Naidoo recently explained. Another game-changer is that students will only need the appropriate level of mathematics and science to practise their
that lead directly to employment. With the 2026 school year getting
(BESS) are emerging as a critical enabler of this transition. However, while energy storage is essential to stabilise the grid and unlock the full value of solar and wind, the country does not yet have enough specialised engineering talent with hands-on experience in large-scale storage projects. Closing this gap will require stronger collaboration between employers, training institutions, industry partners, and government, as well as meaningful investment in practical exposure, mentorship, and upskilling. At the heart of this shift is a powerful opportunity for local engineers to shape the country’s renewable future rather than simply participate in it. The importance of battery storage and specialised skills The most significant stumbling block of renewable energy is the fact that it is intermittent in nature. BESS is therefore one of the most significant developments in South Africa’s energy story, because it transforms solar and wind generation into a reliable, on-demand resource. By storing excess energy and releasing it when needed, it bridges the gap between generation and supply and provides stability at a time when loadshedding and grid weaknesses remain persistent concerns. This ability to strengthen reliability, maximise renewable output and support more flexible energy management has made storage indispensable. underway, hundreds of thousands of young people face crucial decisions about their future. The automatic assumption that university is the only path to success needs urgent re-examination. The reality is stark: nearly three out of every five 15- to 24-year-olds are out of work, and Kagiso Trust CEO Mankodi Moitse says it’s time for an honest national conversation about the relationship between education and employment and the pressing need for more technical and vocational skills. “For too long, we’ve operated under the assumption that everyone should pursue a university degree. The result is unemployed graduates on one hand and critical skills shortages on the other,” Moitse says. The Department of Higher Education and Training’s latest list of occupations in high demand tells a sobering story: more than half of South African workers are in jobs for which they do not have the correct education level, and a third are in jobs that don’t match their highest qualification. Meanwhile, the economy is crying out for artisans, technicians and skilled workers. A
Mankodi Moitse, Kagiso Trust CEO.
In a country with an unemployment crisis, we cannot afford to ignore the skills economy.” According to Moitse, Kagiso Trust will continue its advocacy for technical and vocational education throughout 2026, working to break down stigma, highlight success stories and support reforms that align education with economic needs. “The skills economy is South Africa’s growth engine,” she says. “It’s time we recognised that, invested in it, and guided our young people towards the opportunities that exist. This is the way to Ignite Human Capacity.”
Enquiries: www.kagiso.co.za
Powering South Africa’s energy transition through skills development in battery storage By: Maureen Phiri, director at Oxyon People Solutions S outh Africa’s renewable energy landscape is evolving quickly, and battery energy storage systems However, the rapid rise of BESS has highlighted a challenge: the specialised engineering skills needed to design and operate large-scale storage systems are still in short supply. While the country has strong technical talent, few professionals have real-world experience in front-end engineering and design, grid integration, control systems, or the battery
technology, maintenance requirements and energy utilisation.
Collaborating to build practical learning pathways Reliable energy underpins sectors such as mining, logistics, freight, manufacturing, and engineering, so the impact of BESS extends well beyond renewable energy alone. Employers can help close the skills gap by creating opportunities for hands- on exposure through SETA programmes, apprenticeships and internships that place young engineers and graduates directly on storage-related projects. On-site visits for students in chemical and electrical engineering can also spark early interest and introduce future professionals to the realities of large-scale energy systems. Stronger alignment between education and industry requirements is equally important. Apprenticeships for existing professionals, targeted SETA programmes for new entrants and mentorship from engineers with large-scale project experience all contribute to building a more capable workforce. Stakeholders, including government, Eskom, and the Independent Power Producer community, need to engage intentionally with training institutions to ensure that technical education reflects the skills needed as South Africa shifts its approach to generating and storing electricity. Strengthening South Africa’s long- term energy capability Addressing the BESS skills shortage is about more than just meeting immediate project demands. It is central to building a resilient workforce that can support the long-term stability of South Africa’s economy, which is
chemistry and thermal management knowledge required for these projects. Many engineers come from solar PV or electrical backgrounds, but storage requires a different level of system understanding that can only be developed through exposure to projects of this scale. Expanding skillsets is essential Engineers already working in solar PV or electrical fields can become more competitive by deepening their understanding of battery integration, energy management systems, and power systems modelling. Even short courses, mentorship under senior project engineers, or participation in pilot projects can accelerate that transition. Upskilling supports individual growth, but it also ensures that South Africa develops the talent required to support its long-term energy ambitions. Front- end engineering teams will need a deeper grounding in chemical and electrical engineering, and greater exposure to large-scale BESS installations. Learning from countries that have already executed major storage projects can support this development, but sustained progress hinges on local experience. Research institutions such as the CSIR also have a role to play by working with training partners to advance studies in storage
Maureen Phiri, director at Oxyon People Solutions.
underpinned by reliable energy. As industries move toward renewable and hybrid systems, professionals with expertise in storage, electrification and sustainable operations will become increasingly important. Without these capabilities, renewable rollout will be slower, with higher project costs and reduced opportunities for local job creation. This will have knock-on effects across the wider industrial ecosystem and our economy. For the country to transition successfully, technology and human capability must advance together. BESS represents a significant industrial opportunity, but its success depends on deliberate investment in the people who will design, implement, and maintain these systems over time. At the end of the day, this transition is creating incredible opportunities for South African engineers, not just to fill jobs, but to shape the future of renewable energy here. The more we invest in upskilling, the stronger our local talent pipeline becomes.
Enquiries: https://oxyon.co.za/
SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS
SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS
FEBRUARY 2026
OCTOBER 2024
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