Address by The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, on the occasion of the launch of Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) Smart Skills Centre, Saldana Bay, Western Cape
\nProgramme Director;
\nExecutive Mayor, Mr Andre Truter;
\nChemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) Accounting Authority (AA) Chairperson, Ms Wezi Khoza;
\nMedia, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICTSETA) Accounting Authority (AA) Chairperson, Mr Simphiwe Thobela;
\nAccounting Authorities members of both the SETAS;
\nCHIETA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Yershen Pillay;
\nMICT Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Matome Madibana;
\nSaldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Kaashifah Beukes;
\nParamount Chief of the Aikonese Cochoqua Khoi Tribal Council, Mr Kevin Mart;
\nSaldanha Bay IDZ Board Member: Mr Irvan Esau;
\nSaldanha Bay Port Manager: Mr Shadrack Tshikalange;
\nCHIETA, Saldanha Bay IDZ, MICT and Nemisa staff members;
\nDistinguished Guests and Stakeholders;
\nMembers of the media;
\nLadies and Gentlemen.
\nGood day,
\nIt is my great pleasure to be enjoined with you today as we officially open this historic CHIETA SMART Skills Centre here in Saldanha Bay, in the Western Cape province.
\nThis SMART Skills Centre is a monumental step towards South Africa\u2019s digital skills development not only to meet the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), but also to accelerate local innovation and enterprise capabilities, which will drive job creation and economic growth.
\nThere is a general consensus that more and more companies are beginning to embark on what is called a \u201cdigital transformation journey\u201d.
\nIt is therefore by design that CHIETA and the Freeport Saldanha Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) recognised the need to prepare our youth and small medium enterprises by developing their digital readiness through tech enabled learning programmes such as virtual and augmented reality, robotics, and the internet of things amongst others.
\nTo achieve this, a host environment in a form of a technology infested centre where technology, talent and creativity interface is essential.
\nSuch a infrastructure will responds to what we came to know as the Forth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
\nTo analyse how we have reached the 4IR, allow me to trace back at the previous three industrial revolutions, how they changed our lives and the world when they occurred. Let us take a quick look at:
\n\u2022\tFirst Industrial Revolution. It occurred at the end of the 18th century, in 1784, when steam was harnessed for mechanical production. It led to the invention of the first mechanised loom which was a watershed.
\n\u2022\tSecond Industrial Revolution. In 1870, mass production powered by electricity was first introduced. The assembly line was invented and the industrial sector speeded up exponentially.
\n\u2022\tThird Industrial Revolution. In 1969, advances in computing led to machine programming and opened the door to progressive automation.
\nAround 2014, the industry experienced another “about turn” with the appearance of smart factories and online production management. This is what Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum, described as “The Fourth Industrial Revolution\u201d.
\nThe 4IR creates a world in which virtual and physical systems of manufacturing cooperate with each other in a flexible way at the global level.
\nIndeed, we are now in a revolution which is fundamentally changing the way we live, work, and relate to one another.
\nIn its scale, scope and complexity, the 4IR is unlike anything humankind has experienced before because of its speed, scope and unprecedented impact.
\nEffects and advantages of the 4IR
\nAll revolutions have benefits and drawbacks, challenges and opportunities, uncertainties and certainties. In the case of the 4IR, the advantages are evident. They are:
\n\u2022\tIncreased productivity;
\n\u2022\tEfficiency and quality in processes;
\n\u2022\tGreater safety for workers by reducing jobs in dangerous environments;
\n\u2022\tEnhanced decision making with data-based tools;
\n\u2022\tImproved competitiveness by developing customised products that satisfy consumers’ needs, etc.<\/p>\n
As far as the drawbacks are concerned, the experts point to many:
\n\u2022\tThe dizzying speed of change and the need to adapt;
\n\u2022\tBurgeoning cyber risks that force us to ramp up cybersecurity;
\n\u2022\tHigh dependence on technology and the so-called digital gap; and,
\n\u2022\tLack of qualified staff, etc.
\nRegarding the latter, it is worth remembering that the deep impact of Industry 4.0 on employment is one of the biggest challenges for the 4IR.
\nAt the start of the (4IR) process, a McKinsey Global report confirmed that up to 800 million jobs will have disappeared by 2030 as a result of automation.
\nHowever, this may also be an opportunity, because, as novel technologies emerge, so will new professions that will create millions of jobs in new sectors.
\nWe therefore need to ensure that this centre help us to create these new professions and jobs that our economy, society and the labour market needs.
\nThese new technologies includes:
\n\u2022\tInternet of things technology which is designed to establish a connection between the physical and digital worlds. This technology has revolutionised numerous sectors. In fact, billions of devices are already interconnected and more and more devices are becoming smart.
\n\u2022\tRobotics and the cobots which are designed to interact physically with humans in collaborative environments. These are very important to industry because of their ability to optimise production and ve employees from doing monotonous and dangerous tasks.
\n\u2022\tAugmented reality and virtual reality which is technology that combine the real world and the digital world using computer science, enrich the visual experience of both users and consumers by generating immersive experiences.
\n\u2022\tBig data, the full-blown 4IR will allow us to change data into information. As we all know information is power. Big data allows massive data management and interpretation for business purposes, which is particularly relevant when devising business strategies or making decisions.
\n\u2022\tLastly, 3D and 4D printing. These days we have the means to develop prototypes \u2014 or products for sale \u2014 quickly, accurately and economically with 3D and 4D printing. This technology is becoming increasingly important in design, architecture, engineering, etc.<\/p>\n
I recently received the Report of the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) on the implications of the 4IR to our post-school education and training system.
\nThe report provides insights into how the PSET policy-making mechanism can respond to the challenges posed by rapid shifts in the way we learn, live, and conduct our business.
\nAmongst the foremost recommendations of the report is that our PSET sector must place great emphases on developing curricula, programmes, and courses that are informed by the demands of the labour market. Being demand-led in this way requires customised initiatives that respond directly to the needs of groups of similarly focused employers and result in the employment or self-employment of the young person.
\nHowever, the report makes a strong emphasis that ensuring the relevance of PSET programmes cannot be exclusively dictated by the demands of the labour market as it exists today that there is a need to equally ensure ongoing curriculum development that prepares students to thrive even as the needs of the labour market change and to become active agents in shaping the future of both South African society and its economy.
\nTo date as a government, we have launched several initiatives aimed at capacity-building as well as research and development in 4IR and related fields.
\nThe National Digital and Future Skills Strategy (2020), published on 23 September 2020, presents a vision South Africa in which all its people are able to benefit from enhanced digital skills.
\nThe strategy sets out many layers at which digital skills should be given attention, and many mechanisms for advancing digital skills. Most importantly, the strategy considers the need for (i) a diversity of digital skills, (ii) priority skills areas, and (iii) convergence of digital skills with subject matter knowledge.
\nWhile priority areas for digital skills can be supported in the short term, and revised on a regular basis as the nature of skills demand and supply changes, the real strength of any national strategy lies in the diversity of skills produced, giving the country the capacity to adjust and adapt to local and global skills demand cycles.
\nThe emphasis is on diversity with respect to skills, with respect to the skills development programmes and associated curricula, and with respect to jobs and forms of employment.
\nBackground of the centre
\nNow coming back to the launch of our centre today, the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) and the Freeport Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) underpinned by the need to develop a pool of digital technology skills for the chemical industries.
\nI am proud that two of our SETAs, the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) and the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) collaborated with the Freeport Saldanha IDZ and other partners to establish this centre.
\nThe Freeport Saldanha IDZ provided the premises without any costs to CHIETA and the MICT SETA provided free ICT training courses to all learners at the centre.
\nCHIETA provided all the equipment\u2019s, from the IT infrastructure to the Virtual Reality training pods, the digital boardroom for SMMEs and cooperatives. They also provided free data and access to wifi for all learners entering the centre. The University of Johannesburg (UJ) will be providing free 4IR courses.
\nImportance of the Smart Skills Centre
\nThis SMART Skills Centre is part of our bigger plan to revolutionize digital skills development in all our nine provinces and to cater for small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMME) development.
\nThe centre will offer various digital skills development programmes, based on technologies such as block chain, artificial intelligence, software development, data science and mobile repairs.
\nCHIETA forecast that a minimum of 10 000 unemployed youth from surrounding rural communities will benefit from the centre over the next five years.
\nI am happy with this focussed attention of the CHIETA, especially in digital skills, engaging young people in some form of socio-economic activities remains critical in our Agenda to fight against poverty, unemployment, and inequality.
\nThe COVID-19 global health pandemic has exacerbated our challenges with unemployment of youth (15-24 years old) increased from 59 % by first quarter of 2020 or pre-COVID-19 trajectory to 61% by the second quarter of 2022. Whilst for the same cohort for those not in employment, education, and training (NEET) increased from 3.5 million to 3.6 million for the same period.
\nFurthermore, CHIETA together with its stakeholders, will provide various online learning platforms for the unemployed youth to start up successful and scalable data-driven commercial businesses that will provide technological solutions.
\nFurthermore, this centre will bridge the digital skills divide between urban and rural communities by providing access to the internet and digital skills training.
\nThe integration of rural communities in this project is very important to ensure that the bridge the social divide between urban rural communities by ensuring an equitable access to education and its outcomes for our communities regardless of where they stay.
\nThese centre we are launching today will significantly reduce the cost burden associated with transport and data that will be ordinarily be placed on poor communities.
\nThe Skills Centre contribution to the Master Skills Plan
\nLadies and gentlemen
\nI would like to remind all of you that we now have begun the process of crafting our \u2018one country Master Skills Plan\u2019. The Plan will promote a more efficient and effective mechanism for our country-wide skills planning.
\nHaving said that, I see this centre as part of our realisation of our Master Skills plan by revolutionising our digital skills in coding, software development and data analytics.
\nMore exciting news about this centre is that it\u2019s services will be offered free to all the participants, including job seekers and the small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) that wish to grow their operations.
\nAs the great Nelson Mandela famously said: \u201cEducation is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.\u201d This state-of-the-art centre is a fulfillment of what Madiba represented.
\n The centre will be an exemplar for excellence in tech education, as well as research and development.
\nWe all know that South Africa strives for high calibre solutions and the generation of business that will open opportunities to drive innovation to stimulate our country\u2019s socio-economic development.
\nIndeed, through this centre, the Saldanha Bay\u2019s socioeconomic development trajectory will not be the same anymore.
\nPartnerships
\nChairperson, our White Paper for Post School Education and Training envisages an integrated post-school system and some of our post school institutions have already begun to build strong partnerships with each other.
\nAs you know, we agreed that all SETAs must develop partnerships with other institutions within the post school education and training sector (PSET) such as TVET college, Community Education Colleges (CET), and the National Skills Fund. Partnership must also be developed with other government departments and their agencies.
\nIt is now an open secret that in the meeting I held with Board members, and CEOs of SETA I said SETAs who do not forge this partnership do not belong to our SETA system.
\nThis is the reason that today I congratulate CHIETA for having identified the Saldanha Bay IDZ as amongst the most suited partner for the establishment of a SMART Skills Centre in the province.
\nThe Industrial Development Zones in South Africa were developed by government with the aim to increase industrial growth in particular geographical areas.
\nThis is underpinned by the fact that more and more companies are beginning to embark on a digital transformation journey.
\nCHIETA and the Freeport Saldanha IDZ recognised the need to develop digital readiness through tech enabled learning programmes like virtual and augmented reality, robotics, the internet of things amongst others.
\nTo this extend, I congratulate CHIETA\u2019s visionary leadership for conceiving the idea of such a centre and for locating it within the Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone.
\nThe centre will increase the number of sustainable businesses and available talent, ensuring that the Saldanha Bay economy grows by providing relevant, technology-driven services whilst meeting the needs of the Saldanha Bay IDZ investors, workforce, supply chain demands and industry.
\nThrough this centre, CHIETA must now further identify and collaborate with both the TVET and CET colleges here in the Western Cape. This will ensure that we rapidly enhance the potential of these colleges to harness open learning to increase access to the PSET learning opportunities, which are closely linked to the needs of the labour market and help to drive growth in local employment.
\nThis principle must be integrated in the concept of these SMART centre and be applied also in the two Smart Skills Centres that we will be launching in this current financial year in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
\nFurthermore, these centres must ensure that we place our TVET graduates for in-service training, learnerships and internships as part of the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his 2022 State of the Nation Address, that government is to place 10 000 unemployed TVET graduates for in-service training, learnerships and internships.
\nI want us, as well, to further collaborate with the Department of Small Business Development as the National Development Plan envisages that about 90% of new jobs created will be in the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).
\nTo ensure that the above approaches are not fragmented or operating in silos, these initiatives must be developed in line with the a systemic District Development Model (DDM) in order to initiate integrated 4IR-related development at the regional level.
\nOur approach must always centre on specific economic sectors, carefully chosen to develop a pivot for regional economic development.
\nIn all our project conceptualisation, we must always remember that integrated delivery models that work at district and regional levels and that enable PSET institutions in common localities to work with each other, with public and private enterprises, with social structures, with the communities they serve, and with local, district and provincial government will always ensure that we create an articulated, seamless, responsive education and development opportunities to the benefit of our economy
\nFurthermore, our centres must be linked to the National Development Plan\u2019s (NDP\u2019s) focus on integrated development.
\nConclusion
\nIn conclusion, South Africa faces unprecedented challenges as it grapples with the challenges and opportunities presented by the 4IR.
\nResponding to these challenges cannot be achieved through slow, incremental change. The economic headwinds we face and the relentless pace of technological change precipitated by the 4IR mean that we have to respond in kind, with purpose and speed.
\nI therefore would like to thank CHIETA, MICT and the IDZ for their tireless efforts and hard work in ensuring the successful launch of this ground-breaking initiative which offers new educational opportunities and grow the pool of our youth, especially young women to further advance their digital skills and take up digital opportunities to grow our economy.
\nI thank you all very much.<\/p>\n
Source: Government of South Africa<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Address by The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, on the occasion of the launch of Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) Smart Skills Centre, Saldana Bay, Western Cape Programme Director; Executive Mayor, Mr Andre Truter; Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) Accounting Authority (AA) Chairperson, Ms Wezi Khoza; … <\/p>\n