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.
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