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In an effort to bolster female participation in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), twenty-two aspiring female engineers from various TVET colleges in Limpopo, North West, and Free State provinces of South Africa are gearing up to embark on a transformative journey to India. The destination? A solar panel manufacturing learning program.
Led by the Minister of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, in collaboration with the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA), the initiative aims to equip these students with specialized skills in solar technology.
The inception of this program stems from the 2023 South Africa chairship of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). It emerges as one of the pivotal resolutions from the BRICS Women in Business meeting, emphasizing women’s pivotal role in addressing the energy crisis, particularly in rural areas of South Africa.
Minister Dlamini Zuma emphasized the critical importance of accessible electricity in enhancing societal well-being, underlining it as an essential service that governments must prioritize.
The solar panel manufacturing and installation program will provide both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical experience, paving the way for these learners to become adept in the solar energy sector.
Supported by various stakeholders including the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, EWSETA, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the initiative aims not only to impart skills but also to foster entrepreneurship among the participants.
The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities highlighted the potential for lucrative business ventures in the solar energy sector within South Africa. Through continued collaboration with government entities like the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and Department of Small Business Development, avenues for entrepreneurial opportunities will be explored upon the students’ return.
With the program scheduled to commence on May 1, 2024, these female engineers are poised to become trailblazers in the renewable energy landscape, contributing to a brighter, sustainable future for South Africa. |
