TVET Graduates Key to South Africa’s Skills and Jobs Future: Letsike

Letsike argued that South Africa needs to move away from viewing TVET education as a secondary option.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has emphasized the vital role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates in addressing South Africa's skills shortages, youth unemployment and transformation goals within the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Speaking at the Institute of Building Inspectors Youth Sector Business Breakfast, Letsike described TVET graduates as a critical link between technical expertise and economic opportunity, saying they have the potential to strengthen professional capacity across the built environment.

TVET Education Must Be Treated as a First-Choice Career Path

Letsike argued that South Africa needs to move away from viewing TVET education as a secondary option. Instead, she said it should be recognized as a respected pathway that can lead to professional careers, leadership positions and entrepreneurship.

According to the Deputy Minister, graduates from TVET colleges possess valuable technical skills in areas such as electrical engineering, plumbing, civil construction, building and construction management. These skills are essential for supporting the country's infrastructure development ambitions and addressing critical workforce gaps.

She noted that young people are more likely to pursue technical education when they can clearly see opportunities for career growth, professional recognition and long-term success.

Youth Building Inspector Programme Shows Positive Results

Letsike highlighted the achievements of the Gauteng-funded Youth Building Inspector Programme, which has created workplace learning opportunities for unemployed graduates through partnerships involving municipalities, higher education institutions and industry stakeholders.

The programme has already placed 248 unemployed built-environment graduates in workplace learning positions while supporting 51 young women on their path toward professional registration. She said the initiative demonstrates that South Africa has no shortage of talent. The challenge lies in creating stronger support systems that help young people move successfully from education into employment.

The Deputy Minister stressed that workplace experience, mentorship and professional registration opportunities remain essential for helping graduates build sustainable careers.

Call for Stronger Collaboration and Career Pathways

Letsike urged government departments, municipalities, professional councils, educational institutions and private-sector companies to work together to create seamless pathways from training to employment. She called for greater investment in mentorship programmes, internships and workplace opportunities that offer meaningful career development rather than short-term placements.

Professional registration systems should remain rigorous, she said, but must also become more accessible to young professionals seeking to enter the industry. South Africa's future infrastructure projects and economic growth plans will depend heavily on the country's ability to develop, support and retain a new generation of skilled professionals. Empowering TVET graduates, Letsike added, will strengthen municipal capacity, expand employment opportunities and contribute to more inclusive economic development.

She concluded by noting that today's youth continue to fight for dignity, opportunity and recognition, making it essential for institutions to remove barriers that prevent talented young people from reaching their full potential.