Free State: Free State Premier Dukwazna Mxolisi, together with his Executive Council, met the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) at OR Tambo, Bloemfontein.
At the centre of the engagement is to have a conversation that will stimulate and support the expansion of the footprints of various SETAs across the length and breadth of the Free State province.
Furthermore, the discussion is designed to strengthen stakeholder relations in an effort to improve skills development, fight unemployment and alleviate poverty.
In his opening remarks, Premier Dukwana emphasised the need for the province to invest in skills development.
This, he said, must be done in partnership with SETAs, whose role in the skilling and reskilling of society is of fundamental importance to economic growth and development strategy of the Free State and the betterment of society.
“It is imperative that skills respond to the current demands of the economy, its growth prospects and the long term demands of technological innovation with the advancement of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Our efforts to overcome poverty and unemployment must be aligned with the skills needs as guided by the economy, and, this requires that we address the skills deficit that exists.
Only through our coordinated efforts and strong partnerships will we be able to build a strong labour-force equipped with the necessary skills to respond to new economic demands and create a prosperous Free State,” said Premier Dukwana.
The Premier also touched on the country’s migration to renewable energy as a means to complement fossil fuels such as coal.
“In our pursuit of a diverse energy mix to address the country’s energy security challenges, the Free State has a very important role to play, particularly given the rich deposit of energy located in our shores.
However, to fully participate in this economy, the province needs to develop a strong skills base that aligns with its available resources and growth and development strategy.”