News


Groundbreaking renewable energy skills platform

April 2025 News

South Africa’s renewable energy sector has taken a significant leap forward with the launch of PowerUp. As a South African first, this online platform is designed to equip the country’s workforce with the skills required to meet industry demands. Developed as a key initiative under the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM), PowerUp connects industry stakeholders with training institutions, facilitates the development of new qualifications, and addresses critical skills shortages.

PowerUp is a joint initiative spearheaded by key stakeholders such as the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA), GreenCape, SAPVIA, SAWEA, MerSETA, TIPS and QCTO, with the United Kingdom Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) Programme as the development funder. The platform fosters collaboration between industry, academia, and government, creating pathways to employment within the renewable energy value chain, thereby ensuring that South Africa’s renewable energy workforce is future-ready. The platform was launched at an event hosted by EWSETA and GreenCape on 4 March 2025, and its impact was further highlighted at the Africa Energy Indaba’s Energy and Investment Hub.

The British high commissioner, Antony Phillipson, expressed his enthusiasm that UK PACT has contributed to the development of PowerUp and highlighted the platform as a vital initiative to equip South Africa’s renewable energy industry with much-needed skills to push the industry forward. By engaging key stakeholders, PowerUp will help ensure the availability of skills for job opportunities in the green industry sector, foster greater collaboration between academia and industry, and identify inclusive opportunities for youth and workers in transitioning regions.

Mpho Mookapele, CEO of EWSETA, highlighted the rapid expansion of South Africa’s green economy and its role in driving a just transition, local capacity building and inclusive economic participation. “Success for PowerUp is not only measured by the number of users on the system, but by the moment a TVET graduate completes a qualification and enters the job market equipped with relevant, in-demand skills that are made possible through the collaboration between PowerUp and industry,” she said.

She further emphasised that another key measure of success for the SETA would be the platform’s impact across various industries. “We are striving to achieve the objectives of the NSDP 2030, which aims to establish a credible mechanism for determining the demand for skills in South Africa,” she added.

Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Maré, commended PowerUp as an exemplary model of public-private collaboration aimed at driving job creation and economic growth. “This innovative new platform aligns with the collaborative ethos of SAREM, which prioritises skills development as a key driver in unlocking the growth potential of the renewable energy sector.”

Graham-Maré added that the SAREM is awaiting final cabinet adoption, but its success will depend on continuous collaboration and strong partnerships. “I am excited to see such a critical aspect of SAREM being addressed through PowerUp, and I encourage all stakeholders to actively participate actively and demonstrate our commitment to the future of South Africa’s youth and renewable energy sector,” she concluded.

Mpho Mookapele urges industry leaders, Post-School Education and Training (PSET) institutions, SETAs and key funders to actively and strategically drive the initiative forward. Industry leaders play a pivotal role in shaping the workforce by identifying critical skills that are in demand and nurturing much-needed talent. PSET institutions can align curricula with industry needs while SETAs and funders unlock resources for impactful training. “Together, we can build a skilled, future-ready workforce to drive South Africa’s renewable energy sector,” she concluded.

For more information contact Khetsiwe Mtiyane, EWSETA, [email protected], www.ewseta.org.za/power-up




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.

Read more...
Call for abstracts: 2025 SAIMC User Advisory Council Summit
News
The 2025 SAIMC User Advisory Council Summit (formerly MESA Africa Summit) is calling for abstracts.

Read more...
Festo 100th Anniversary: Celebrating a century-long legacy of innovation and commitment
News
Festo has officially begun celebrating 100 years of groundbreaking technology, commitment and enduring partnerships. To kick off this historic milestone celebration, their Customer Innovation Day and ThankYou Party series brought together customers, partners and employees to reflect on their journey and look ahead to an

Read more...
Bearings International fosters dynamic customer partnerships
News
Bearings International has consistently set the benchmarks in innovation and excellence as a leading distributor of bearings, power transmission and interconnected mechanical consumables that sustainably facilitate and optimise operations for mining and industrial customers across Southern Africa.

Read more...
Innomotics and Danfoss Drives strengthen partnership to deliver comprehensive motor and drive solutions
News
Innomotics and Danfoss Drives have announced the next phase of their strategic, non-exclusive partnership. This collaboration is designed to meet the growing demand for comprehensive motor and drive solutions, ensuring customers receive high-quality, efficient and compatible products

Read more...
Africa’s industrial revolution accelerates
News
As Africa undergoes a rapid industrial transformation, AATF Connect 2025 emerges as the premier platform to showcase innovation, drive collaboration, and spark discussions that will shape the continent’s industrial future.

Read more...
From the editor's desk: A good servant and a bad master
Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control) News
In our new AI-generated world it was inevitable that the Nobel Committee would have noticed. And last November two pioneers of artificial intelligence, John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton, won the Nobel Prize ...

Read more...
Festo 100th Anniversary: Celebrating a century-long legacy of innovation and commitment
Festo South Africa News
Festo has officially begun celebrating 100 years of groundbreaking technology, commitment and enduring partnerships. To kick off this historic milestone celebration, their Customer Innovation Day and ThankYou Party series brought together customers, partners and employees to reflect on their journey and look ahead to an exciting future.

Read more...
German Chancellor visits Beckhoff at Hannover Messe
Beckhoff Automation News
As part of the traditional Hannover Messe opening tour, Federal Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz visited German company, Beckhoff Automation. Hans Beckhoff, managing director and owner of Beckhoff Automation, presented his company and its comprehensive expertise in the field of software and AI.

Read more...
Iritron celebrates 25 years of excellence
Iritron News
When Iritron, a leading provider of engineering and industrial solutions was founded in 2000, it was on the principles of exceptional service and lasting part-nerships. Today, Iritron has grown from a small team of four into a company of over 120 employees, serving clients across South Africa and beyond.

Read more...