South Africa highlights preparing young people for the jobs of the future — TimesLIVE

In South Africa, a special edition of Skills Development and Innovation was dedicated to preparing young people for professions being reshaped by digital transformation, automation and the transition to a green economy. As TimesLIVE reports, job creation must be combined with the development of practical skills that will enable people to take advantage of new opportunities.

Changing requirements for specialists

An editorial column notes that South Africa’s official unemployment rate has remained above 30% for decades. At the same time, changes in the labour market require not only the emergence of new opportunities, but also the preparation of people able to make use of them.

Traditional and skilled trades, including plumbers, electricians, mechanics and other qualified specialists, will remain in demand. However, the nature of this work is changing: mechanics, for example, need to understand not only tools but also increasingly computerised and technologically complex vehicles.

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Cooperation for skills development

New opportunities are emerging in digital technologies, automation, renewable energy and the transition to a greener economy. Preparing young people for such changes, the article stresses, requires attention not only to current but also to future skills.

To achieve this, job creation must be combined with meaningful skills development, while partnerships between government, business, educational institutions, civil society and other stakeholders must be strengthened. No sector can independently solve the problem of employment and skills development in South Africa, the publication notes. The Skills Development and Innovation edition examines how such partnerships can open pathways to employment and economic opportunities for people.