Rome, 25th of March 2025 - SASOL Foundation and RES4Africa Foundation have established a strategic collaboration aimed at delivering skills development projects under the Re-skilling Lab Initiative, a flagship training program of RES4Africa's Southern Africa program, launched in 2022. This collaboration is designed to empower communities surrounding SASOL’s plants in South Africa (initially in Mpumalanga and Free State), with plans to extend across the rest of the country.
With Enel Foundation as knowledge partner, the Re-skilling Lab Initiative follows a collaborative approach between training institutions and industry leaders in the energy sector, with EWSETA (Energy & Water Sector Education Training Authority) among its founding partners.
SASOL Foundation’s focus is on education, skills development, and socio-economic advancement, particularly through the promotion of STEM education and technical vocational training. SASOL is deeply involved in the renewable energy sector, partnering with EGP RSA (Enel Green Power South Africa) to develop several renewable energy projects in South Africa. SASOL’s ambition is to lead the energy transition in Southern Africa by transitioning to low-carbon feedstocks and integrating renewables to create new value pools, such as green hydrogen, green ammonia, and sustainable fuels.
In the context of technical-vocational education, a just transition involves equipping learners with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in a changing economy, while also considering the social and environmental implications of their work. Through the SASOL Foundation, educators and students are empowered to explore the environmental impact of their work, design sustainable solutions, and contribute to a more environmentally conscious and resilient future.
The primary objective of the collaboration between RES4Africa and SASOL Foundation is to prepare six TVET colleges (Flavius Mareka, Gert Sibande, Gold Fields, Maluti, Motheo, and Tshwane North) to deliver renewable energy-related programs in their curricula, addressing the growing demand for technical skills to support South Africa’s just energy transition.
In collaboration with service providers - Resolution Circle, Master Artisan Academy, and the University of Pretoria, the program will deliver four essential modules: Solar PV Installation, Solar PV Maintenance, Energy Performance Certification Practitioner Course, and Hydrogen Fuel Cell System Practitioner Course. A total of 46 lecturers from these six colleges will receive training, equipping them to teach these critical skills to their students. The training will be complemented by industry engagement events, managed by RES4Africa in collaboration with its industrial members and local partners. These events will bridge the gap between the renewable energy sector and TVET institutions, fostering collaboration to ensure a pipeline of skilled workers for South Africa’s renewable energy companies.
This partnership aims to replicate and expand upon the success of the Re-skilling Lab pilot project at Nkangala TVET College, which became accredited and began offering skills programs to its students independently.
The project officially kicked off with an in-person induction meeting at Flavius Mareka TVET College in Sasolburg, Free State in early March. Following this, training for the Energy Performance Certification Practitioner has now officially begun. To further support this initiative, a virtual Orientation Day was held on March 20, 2025, providing industry insights and an overview of the training programs. The event connected lecturers with key industry players to enhance collaboration and career opportunities.
“Our approach is to align our education strategy with national education priorities, cater for local needs and reflect the business’ intent while uplifting our communities with skills to use cleaner technologies thus investing in renewable energy sources,” said Tshamani Mathebula, head of the Sasol Foundation. She further emphasized, “Our investment as the Sasol Foundation is educating towards a healthier, more sustainable environment in educational institutions within our communities, building capacity to work with these technologies. Collaboration is key to sustainability. We partner with communities, governments, and industries to achieve shared sustainability goals.”
Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General at RES4Africa Foundation, stated “South Africa’s energy transition is not only about deploying renewable technologies but also about ensuring that local communities have the skills to actively participate in and benefit from this transformation. Through this partnership with SASOL Foundation, we aim to empower educators, students, and industry professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to drive a just and inclusive transition. Investing in skills development today is investing in a sustainable and prosperous tomorrow.
Original article from Res4Africa Foundation
