WeeklySA_AdminGrow: Lack of skills development and training are the biggest challenge to growing sa’s hydrogen economy
By WSAM Reporter
The Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) has prioritized digital literacy skills in South Africa by initiating Smart Skills Centres to be launched across the country to close the hydrogen skills gap.
CHIETA Smart Skills Centres aim to provide free digital literacy skills programmes including experiential learning using virtual reality technology for certain occupations. This first-of-its-kind Smart centre was launched in Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape. The centre has been opened to the public since the beginning of February this year.
Eight new centres are planned over the next two years. Yershen Pillay, CEO of CHIETA, says South Africa needs to prioritize digital literacy skills programmes because the lack of skills development and training is the biggest challenge to growing South Africa’s hydrogen economy. It is not just accessibility to hydrogen training that poses a challenge, but actually receiving the education and skills to meet industry needs.
Pillay says since digital skills are the foundation for hydrogen skills, a coherent digital literacy skills curriculum is required for hydrogen education.
However, the lack of skills development and training is the biggest challenge to growing South Africa’s hydrogen economy. According to Pillay, it is not just accessibility to hydrogen training that poses a challenge, but actually receiving the education and skills to meet industry needs.
His company’s research has identified 17 specific training and skills requirements where about 14 000 jobs are likely to be created including hydrogen systems engineers, technicians, gas fitters and other associated trades and services.
“The technical and regulatory uncertainties in South Africa provide a major challenge for effective skills planning. For this reason, leadership needs to be provided for enabling policy and regulatory changes,” says Pillay.
The education sector needs to work more closely with industry for joint skills planning and the co-creation of future training courses and learning materials. “What is needed is more cross-sector collaboration and research development by engaging with industries such as transport, mining, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure and agriculture.”
According to Pillay, South Africa lacks the cross-sector collaboration to support skills development and training on green hydrogen. “Crosssector collaboration and joint skills planning between government, the private sector and training authorities should be an apex priority for a hydrogen-ready workforce. Without cross-sector collaboration, a fragmented and piecemeal training landscape may evolve in which hydrogen training is expensive, exclusive and inaccessible to all.”
The biggest risk facing South Africa, Pillay notes, is the inability to seize the moment and implement green hydrogen at scale because of the lack of adequate skills and appropriate expertise.
To mitigate this risk and close the hydrogen skills gap in South Africa requires a multipronged strategy that includes better coordination from government, cross-sector collaboration with industry, digital literacy programmes, and specialised training on electrolysers, fuel cells and hydrogen systems.
Pillay says for South Africa to sign the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2016, meant that the country was committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and collaborating with the global community to reduce global temperatures to below
EMPLOYERS TARGET RECRUITS WITH SOFT SKILLS IN CURRENT COMPETITIVE JOB MARKET
Value: Recognising the significance of soft skills, employees can position themselves as valuable assets
By WSAM Reporter
In today’s competitive job market, having technical skills and knowledge is no longer sufficient to succeed in the workplace. Employers increasingly recognize the significance of soft skills, personal traits and abilities that enable individuals to work well with others.
Soft skills, also known as people skills, encompass a wide range of qualities such as problemsolving, creativity, integrity, conflict management, adaptability and teamwork. Regardless of your profession, developing and improving your soft skills is crucial as they not only enhance your ability to communicate effectively but also contribute to your overall professional development.
The Skills Portal, South Africa’s most popular training and HR portal, delves into the reasons why soft skills hold such importance in the modern workplace:
They indicate longevity.
When employers are hiring, they often seek candidates who show potential for a long-term commitment. Soft skills such as conflict resolution, commitment and motivation demonstrate your value as a reliable and dedicated employee. By showcasing your work ethic and professionalism, you can distinguish yourself from other candidates, leading to greater opportunities for career advancement.
They help measure teamwork:
In many roles, being able to collaborate effectively within a team is essential. Hiring managers evaluate candidates based on their ability to work well with others and communicate efficiently. By highlighting soft skills like flexibility and active listening on your resume, you can showcase your capacity to be an asset within a team, increasing your chances of securing a position.
They help maintain relationships.
Soft skills play an important role in fostering positive workplace relationships with colleagues, clients, and business partners. Employers seek individuals who can represent the company professionally and build trust with others. Cultivating soft skills like good customer service can be advantageous in various positions across different industries, as they enhance your ability to exceed expectations and strengthen professional relationships.
Strong soft skills enable you to create and expand your professional network. Having excellent interpersonal skills allows you to establish valuable connections, pursue professional leads and develop industry knowledge.
Employers value employees with robust networks, as they can facilitate business connections, contribute to professional development and even influence hiring decisions.
Soft skills contribute to your ability to effectively use your existing skills and consistently improve them over time. Embracing constructive feedback and taking the initiative to enhance your skill set are valuable soft skills that foster personal growth.
By demonstrating self-sufficiency and a reflective approach to your work, you can quickly become an exceptional employee, highly sought after by employers.
Attention to detail, time management and the ability to delegate tasks are soft skills that promote the organisation in the workplace. Being organised, showcases your reliability and ability to meet deadlines, earning the trust of your team members.
By effectively communicating with employers and submitting well-formatted resumes, you can highlight your organizational skills when applying for jobs.
From improving communication to fostering positive relationships, soft skills enable professionals to thrive in diverse roles and industries.
By recognising the significance of soft skills and continuously developing them, you can position yourself as a valuable asset to employers and stand out among your peers.
