The Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) welcomes commitment to skills development expressed by South Africa’s new Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, in her budget vote speech on July 16.

Effective this financial year, at least 31 884 prospective students will benefit from the R3.8 billion comprehensive student funding model, which supports the “missing middle”. This initial commitment to the fund comprises R1.5 billion from the National Skills Fund and R2.3 billion from SETA.

“As CHIETA, we look forward to working with the minister to create sustainable livelihoods, help create jobs and alleviate poverty in South Africa. We are determined to provide South Africa with the skills needed to address unemployment,” said CHIETA CEO Yershen Pillay.

CHIETA is pleased that the minister is a “lifelong learner” who continues to pursue her studies, added Pillay.

“We are inspired by her vision for the higher education and training sector, which aims to empower graduates to contribute to skills development while enabling government to make informed decisions to tackle the country’s socio-economic challenges.”

CHIETA also welcomed Dr Mimmy Gondwe’s appointment and Buti Manamela’s reappointment as deputy ministers of higher education and training respectively.

The comprehensive student funding model will benefit students from families with incomes of more than R350 000 but not more than R600 000 per annum. The fund covers prospective students at technical vocational education and training (TVET) colleges and public universities.

Pillay said CHIETA was aligned with the minister’s vision of leading post-school education and training, which is more integrated, coordinated and articulated for improved economic participation and social development of youth and adults.

“Our mission is to provide national strategic leadership in support of the post-school education and training system for improved quality of life of South Africans. As part of implementing this mandate, we oversee universities, TVET and community education and training colleges, SETAs, quality councils and private education providers,” the minister said in Parliament.

Pillay said CHIETA took a significant step towards bridging the digital skills gap by opening the Modjadjiskloof smart skills centre at the Letaba TVET college on July 19. This cutting-edge facility is set to empower youth, particularly in rural areas, with essential digital skills and training relevant for the fourth industrial revolution.

“As CHIETA, we are committed to taking smart skills centres to rural areas to ensure nobody is left behind in the digital space,” said Pillay.

CHIETA has opened six smart skills centres in rural South Africa since October 2022 – the first was in Saldanha Bay, followed by high-tech centres in the Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West and now Modjadjiskloof.

“The Modjadjiskloof smart skills centre is a landmark achievement in our mission to bridge the digital divide. Equipping our youth with essential digital skills is crucial for thriving in today’s job market,” said Pillay.Motsiri Benjamin Moshoma, acting principal of the Letaba TVET college, said: “This centre represents progress for the Letaba community. By providing critical digital skills, we pave the way for an innovative and prosperous future, enabling sustainable livelihoods in our province”.