В ЮАР открыли центр подготовки кадров для зеленой энергетики, но ключевой вызов — обеспечить доступ к обучению молодежи из бедных регионов

South Africa’s transition to a greener economy will need skilled young people. A new renewable energy training centre in the Eastern Cape is a welcome step, but the bigger challenge will be making sure those opportunities reach the young people who need them most. South Africa’s green economy is gathering momentum, and its classrooms need to keep pace with the changing world of work. A new Renewable Energy Training Centre at Ingwe TVET College’s Ngqungqushe Campus in Lusikisiki aims to do just that, creating a pathway into an industry expected to play an increasingly important role in the country’s future. Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, is set to preside over the official co-launch and handover of the campus and training centre on Thursday. On paper, it’s precisely the kind of investment South Africa needs. The campus forms part of the government’s efforts to expand access to post-school education and training, particularly in rural communities. The Renewable Energy Training Centre aims to develop skills needed for the renewable energy sector and the country’s Just Energy Transition. South Africa’s transition to a greener economy will need skilled young people. A new renewable energy training centre in the Eastern Cape is a welcome step, but the bigger challenge will be making sure those opportunities reach the young people who need them most. South Africa’s green economy is gathering momentum, and its classrooms need to keep pace with the changing world of work. A new Renewable Energy Training Centre at Ingwe TVET College’s Ngqungqushe Campus in Lusikisiki aims to do just that, creating a pathway into an industry expected to play an increasingly important role in the country’s future. Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, is set to preside over the official co-launch and handover of the campus and training centre on Thursday. On paper, it’s precisely the kind of investment South Africa needs. The campus forms part of the government’s efforts to expand access to post-school education and training, particularly in rural communities. The Renewable Energy Training Centre aims to develop skills needed for the renewable energy sector and the country’s Just Energy Transition. But there is also a question that should not get lost in the excitement: who will actually get access to these opportunities? Young people in rural areas face enormous barriers to quality post-school education, while the cost of tuition, transport, accommodation, food and learning materials can turn an opportunity into a luxury. A state-of-the-art training centre can have all the equipment in the world, but its impact will ultimately depend on whether the young people sitting outside its doors can afford to walk through them. That is why the investment at Ngqungqushe matters, but so does what comes next. Young people need information about available courses, financial support, transport,  accommodation solutions, career guidance and work-based learning. Most importantly, they need a credible bridge from the classroom into employment. Otherwise, we risk building excellent training facilities without building an equally strong pipeline of students able to use them. The new Renewable Energy Training Centre is therefore more than a building with shiny new equipment. It is a test of whether South Africa can make its green transition an inclusive one. If it succeeds, the rewards could extend far beyond the campus, giving young people skills that can power households, businesses and communities while helping the country build a more sustainable energy future. That is certainly something worth getting charged up about.