South Africa has officially launched the Just Energy Transition (JET) Skills Desk and the National JET Skills Advisory Forum, two landmark initiatives aimed at ensuring that the country’s transition to a greener economy leaves no one behind.
The launch, held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg during Women’s Month, was headlined by Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
A People-Centred Transition
Minister Manamela stressed that the energy transition must be measured not only by megawatts added to the grid, but also by its impact on people and communities.
“It must be about ensuring that women, youth, and vulnerable groups are not left behind,” he said. “Skills are the bridge between transition and inclusion, between economic restructuring and social justice.”
The JET Skills Desk will sit within the Department of Higher Education and Training and serve as a coordination hub for reskilling and upskilling workers, particularly those in coal-dependent regions like Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape. Its work will focus on preparing South Africans for opportunities in renewable energy, green hydrogen, electric vehicles, and other sustainable industries.
The National JET Skills Advisory Forum, meanwhile, will align government, industry, academic, and civil society stakeholders in closing the country’s green skills gap.
Building Skills for the Future
Manamela outlined a multi-pronged strategy to ensure the transition translates into real livelihoods:
- Reskilling & Upskilling: Adult workers in vulnerable industries will be retrained for roles in the green economy.
- Curriculum Modernisation: Universities, TVET colleges, and community centres will adapt their offerings to future needs.
- Skills Development Zones: Training hubs will be created in provinces most affected by the decline of coal and other traditional sectors.
- Career Pathways for Youth & Women: Programmes will be established to ensure equitable access to green economy opportunities.
Funding and Partnerships
While there is currently no dedicated budget line for the JET Skills Portfolio, Manamela highlighted the importance of blended financing, with public investment leading the way, supported by private sector, philanthropic, and development partners.
A multi-donor initiative backed by the European Union, Germany, and Switzerland will support the rollout, signalling international confidence in South Africa’s skills agenda.
Beyond Energy: A Nation-Building Agenda
The Minister emphasised that the JET Skills Portfolio is not just about jobs, but about nation-building.
“This is not only a skills agenda, but also a nation-building agenda. The Just Energy Transition must be measured not only by how much power we install, but how many lives we improve and how many communities we empower.”
With South Africa preparing to host the G20 Summit later this year under its Presidency, the initiative is also seen as a chance to showcase the country’s commitment to inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development.
