Three sector education and training authority (Seta) organisations – the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA), the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) and the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) – on September 30 soft launched the Green Hydrogen Centre of Specialisation (CoS), at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in Pretoria.

All three Setas delivered messages of support for the CoS, with speakers describing it as a “groundbreaking” initiative for the country and a pioneer event for South Africa and the world.

The CoS will offer hybrid training programmes focusing on continuous professional development, with specialised courses aimed at upskilling and reskilling individuals for the green hydrogen and derivatives industry.

These programmes will be delivered in collaboration with selected universities, universities of technology and technical vocational education and training colleges, targeting National Qualifications Framework Level 5 or higher qualifications.

The CoS is aimed at developing the requisite skills that are required for the growing green hydrogen economy, to ensure that this is developed holistically and to position the country competitively in the region and world, capitalising on its resources including platinum group metals and renewable energy, speakers pointed out.

The launch also saw the three Setas signing a memorandum of understanding to confirm their commitment to collaborate on the CoS and drive its progress. Other Setas are expected to join the initiative in future.

CHIETA was the lead Seta in the project and had contracted the CSIR to oversee and manage it, from business case to implementation, MQA CEO Dr Thabo Mashongoane explained.

The CoS is slated to be officially launched next year, once the final report and implementation schedule are completed.

Each Seta’s contribution will now be fleshed out and agreed with their respective boards.

CHIETA CEO Yershen Pillay said the organisation’s contribution towards growing the green hydrogen economy and producing jobs entailed five pathways of development. Firstly, this would involve development and qualifications in green hydrogen production, with three new qualifications being pursued and CHIETA was hopeful of offering these from about March 2025.

Moreover, it will award discretionary grants for green hydrogen skills development; support small, medium-sized and micro enterprises, as well as startups, in green hydrogen; and offer career guidance in schools, especially rural areas, about green hydrogen; and a programme to support youth, women and people with disabilities in green hydrogen.

TETA CEO Maphefo Anno-Frempong said the Seta was aligned with the African Union’s Vision 2063 goals, including ensuring that people were educated with skills underpinned by science, technology and innovation.

She said TETA was currently undertaking a comprehensive study to assess the transport sector’s readiness to address green transport in the context of skills development, identify the skills gap that may hinder the transition, as well as the challenges to successful implementation.

The study also aims to identify training programmes and initiatives that can be developed. TETA is also looking to work with countries and stakeholders that have undertaken similar work in the transport space, Anno-Frempong said.

In delivering the keynote address, Department of Higher Education and Training director-general Dr Nkosinathi Shishi expressed government’s support for the CoS and similar education initiatives. He highlighted the importance of this in tackling the challenges of poverty and inequality.