After being transformed from a rundown residential property in Benoni, Gauteng, into a ‘cutting-edge’ energy training centre, the Institute of Energy Professionals Africa’s (IEPA’s) International Energy Training Centre was visited by a German delegation with the Energy and Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA), in September.

Launched in February, the training centre focusses on energy training programmes and ultimately job opportunities for South African youth.

"Our partnership with IEPA and other stakeholders, including the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is delivering positive results, with over 200 young South Africans, who have been trained and employed in sustainable energy careers,” said EWSETA skills delivery and quality assurance executive Robyn Vilakazi.

“The anecdotes of individuals who have gained meaningful employment and started successful entrepreneurship initiatives after participating in IEPA's world-class training sessions were particularly indicative of the impact of this work. We are committed to supporting the expansion of IEPA's work nationwide,” Vilakazi added.

Vilakazi emphasised that EWSETA was committed to building a more competitive and sustainable economy by equipping South Africans with the skills required for a decarbonised future.

State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action at the Federal Foreign Office in Germany, Jennifer Morgan, and officials including Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection Oda Muhr; Elisa Oezbek, of the International Climate Policy, and South Africa Climate Finance and Innovation for the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) head Dipak Patel, also visited the centre.

IEPA has played a key role in skills development for 22 years. 

“This project has been a dream realised, marking the beginning of our journey toward creating a fully equipped centre with three classrooms and a dedicated workshop space,” said IEPA CEO Yolanda de Lange.

Welcoming German State officials and representatives of South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training and the PCC in the Presidency, De Lange said the centre offered students a career path in the energy sector.

De Lange emphasised that the centre would play a crucial role in supporting South Africa's economic and energy transition through technical and vocational education and training as well as stakeholder engagements.

It will focus on identifying and addressing the future skills needs in the labour market, as well as the employment implications of the Just Energy Transition process.

While jobs in carbon-intensive sectors may be lost, she highlighted the emerging opportunities in green industries, highlighting the importance of training to meet the new skills demands.

"The project seeks to improve the employment prospects of young South Africans in a sustainable and increasingly decarbonised economy. Skills development must be part of an integrated approach for sustainable employment." she said.

The centre aims to create opportunities for young people and small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) to access employment in low-carbon sectors.

“We are committed to meaningful quality career path development services,” she concluded.

IEPA’s need for their own building, was a demonstration of environmental contribution to showcase environmental affordability, semi-independence in basic services (water and energy), and reducing reliance on external sources. The building serves as an asset, providing financial security and stability for IEPA.