South Africa Showcases TVET System and Skills Development Initiatives to German Delegation Led by Dr. Heike Kuhn, BMZ
During Dr. Heike Kuhn's recent visit to South Africa, excellent examples of the tangible impact of development cooperation were showcased. As the Head of Division for Education at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany, she was delighted to witness firsthand the transformative effects of projects supported by the BMZ in the area of Vocational Education and Training. The visit provided Dr. Kuhn with inspiration as she heard real-life accounts of the positive changes these projects are bringing to individuals benefiting from their implementation.
Dr. Kuhn was in South Africa to participate in the Policy Dialogue Forum (PDF) of the UNESCO Teacher Task Force, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in education and skills development. The DS4JI and CPD4E projects seized the opportunity by organising site visits for Dr. Kuhn to showcase firsthand insight into the implementation of skills development projects and understand the impact on beneficiaries.
The delegation who attended the site visits, comprised of representatives from BMZ, GIZ, KfW, the German Embassy, and local partners such as the National Business Initiative (NBI).
The first site visit was on the 29 February 2024 at Tshwane North TVET College where the Career Path Development for Employment (CPD4E) project showcased the Installation, Repair, and Maintenance (IRM) Hub Initiative in partnership with the NBI. The objectives of the IRM Hub initiative include bolstering the entrepreneurial ecosystem, tailoring TVET courses to meet Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprise (SMME) demands, and facilitating youth transition into employment or further education. The visit included the handover of an EduBoard, a tour of college facilities, Solar PV installations, and engagements with learners, host SMMEs, and beneficiaries involved in the IRM Initiative.
On the second day, 1 March 2024 a visit was arranged at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. The delegation was received and was offered a campus tour. They were able to interact with youth who are receiving upskilling to transition into Junior Technical Directors. This course is innovative, the first of its kind in Africa and supported through the Digital Skills for Jobs and Income (DS4JI) project.
As the day concluded, the delegation visited the YES Hub in Alexandra (Johannesburg) where they were shown a video of the drone programme supported by DS4JI and interacted with those in the creative programs.
Throughout the visits, the delegates witnessed firsthand the integration of technology and creativity in skills development initiatives, emphasising the importance of innovative approaches in enhancing employability and fostering entrepreneurship.
The involvement of the CPD4E and DS4JI projects underscores Germany’s commitment to advancing TVET systems in South Africa through promoting and supporting skills development interventions.
These site visits were coordinated by the TVET, Skills Development, and Employment Cluster projects, notably Career Path Development for Employment (CPD4E) and Digital Skills for Jobs and Income (DS4JI) implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German government to highlight the impact of these initiatives.
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Written by: Athenkosi Pono (GIZ support to TVET Skills Development and Employment Promotion Cluster:
Communications Specialist)