NRF Participates in National Just Energy Transition Skills Situational Analysis Workshop

As South Africa intensifies its efforts to strengthen energy security, promote sustainability, and reduce carbon emissions, the National Research Foundation (NRF) is playing a critical role in the development of the skills and partnerships essential for a just and inclusive energy transition. At the forefront of this effort is the Just Energy Transition (JET) Skills Desk, led by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and established to serve as the operational hub of the JET-integrated skills ecosystem.

As part of this mission, the NRF, represented by Ms Refilwe Mashigo, Mr Martin Tjatji, and Ms Boipelo Sehunelo, participated in the Northern Cape JET Skills Situational Analysis Workshop, held from 03 to 05 June 2026, at the Northern Cape Rural TVET College in Upington. This engagement brought together representatives from DHET; the Northern Cape Premier’s Office; the Human Resource Development Council; the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ); the National Skills Fund (NSF); Khi Solar One; Sector Education and Training Authorities; and other key stakeholders to strengthen cooperation around skills development for the JET agenda, and the overall implementation of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (2023–2027).

The gathering complements a scoping exercise that was completed in Mpumalanga and a skills assessment planned for the Eastern Cape. The three provinces—Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape—have been identified as potential sites for the establishment of Skills Development Zones for the JET Implementation Plan, and reflect a coordinated national commitment to understand and address regional skills needs in support of South Africa’s energy transition.

Ms Mamphoku Khuluvhe, DHET Strategic Lead and Senior Technical Advisor for the JET Skills Desk, stated, “The Desk has already noted significant challenges in addressing the skills gap. A substantial funding shortfall, the lack of real-time skills data, and misalignment between national strategies and the realities of coal-dependent local communities pose key obstacles in ensuring a just transition. The mandate is to bridge these gaps by driving collaboration and alignment among stakeholders, ensuring South Africa’s evolving skills needs are effectively and collaboratively addressed as the country shifts toward a greener, more sustainable economy.”

The workshop emphasised the urgency of strategic planning and investment to build the province’s skills pipeline, enhance research capacity, and prepare institutions to fully leverage emerging opportunities. Reflecting on the NRF’s role, Ms Refilwe Mashigo said, “The NRF boasts strategic SARChI Chairs within the energy space that will be leveraged to support this work, including the Sasol-NRF Research Chairs in Energy and Power Systems Modelling at the University of Cape Town, and the newly launched Smart and Sustainable Energy Systems Chair at Central University of Technology. The Chairs are critical in supporting institutional capacity development and providing support towards the establishment of Skills Development Zones across the identified provinces in South Africa.”

This engagement comes at a critical moment as major projects such as the Boegoebaai Port and Green Hydrogen Cluster in the Northern Cape gain momentum. These initiatives, supported through partnerships with InvestSA; Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (NCEDA); NSF; and DHET, hold significant potential to diversify the economy while creating a skilled workforce and sustainable employment opportunities.