The agreement identifies exchange of data, mutual logistical support, and outreach and communication activities as the main areas of collaboration

Rome, 2nd of November 2022 - RES4Africa and EWSETA has  signed an anticipated Memorandum of Understanding, which outlines a newborn collaboration in implementing the training initiative RE-Skilling LAB. The agreement comes after a lengthy consultation process, and it focusses on joint efforts in terms of education, training and skills development dedicated to professionals employed in South Africa's coal sector.

The 77% of the energy needs of South Africa is currently provided by coal. Under its Integrated Resource Plan 2019, the country has established important targets in terms of renewable capacity; however, increasing the role of renewables carries major employment challenges: as a matter of fact, more than 92,000 professionals are currently employed in South Africa's coal sector.

South Africa's Just Energy Transition and the fundamental impact that has on the country's current and future workforce is where RES4Africa's and EWSETA's mandates fully meet. By signing the MoU, the two parties agreed to closely cooperate on the Re-Skilling LAB initiative, which will be officially launched on the 18th of November c/o Nkangala TVET College, located in Emalahleni, South Africa. The first steps of the training will be initiated by the end of the year, and they will comprise a training of trainers, provision of technical equipment and the creation of a dedicated job desk.

The areas of collaboration identified in the MoU consist of the facilitation and implementation of training and capacity building activities, data and information exchange, outreach and stakeholder engagement, advocacy and communication campaigns. Further joint actions will include reporting, monitoring of the activities, and identification of suitable student profiles.

"RES4Africa is enthusiastic about EWSETA's official support in the Re-Skilling LAB", said Roberto Vigotti, RES4Africa's Secretary General. "Their expertise in the South African energy and capacity building sectors will be a priceless asset to deliver effective training activities, able to provide the local workforce with a skillset relevant both to their employability, and to the overall South African energy transition".

The CEO of EWSETA, Mpho Mookapele is equally optimistic about the impact this collaboration with RES4Africa will have on the energy landscape of the country. "Ensuring communities are not left behind during the transition, requires a collaborative effort from governments, private sector and other local and international partners. Communities will only be able to participate in the new economies if they are capacitated with relevant knowledge and skills to meaningfully contribute to building the Africa and the South Africa we want. The EWSETA and RES4Africa partnership comes at the right time whilst South Africa seeks to clearly articulate the right skills and timing of the skills that are required to successfully transition," concludes Mookapele.

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