The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding skills development opportunities in rural and historically disadvantaged communities as part of efforts to reduce youth unemployment and improve access to specialised training.
Speaking at the launch of the WorldSkills South Africa (WSZA)-Elangeni Aircraft Maintenance Academy at Elangeni TVET College’s Inanda Campus, north of Durban, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, said government remains focused on taking skills directly to communities that are often excluded from economic opportunities.
"The Ministry is committed to the efforts of the Post-School Education and Training sector to take skills to the people, especially in rural areas," Dube-Ncube said.
Aviation Skills Training Now Available At A Public TVET College
The newly launched academy is the result of a public-private partnership between:
-
Elangeni TVET College
-
WorldSkills South Africa (WSZA)
-
Starlite Aviation
It is the first academy within South Africa’s public education sector to offer specialised aircraft maintenance training.
The initiative is expected to help develop technical skills for the aviation industry while creating career pathways for young people from underserved communities.
Government Aims To Expand Access To Specialised Careers
Dube-Ncube said the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector is working to ensure that young people’s access to employment opportunities is not limited by their gender, social background or geographic location.
"Our bias remains that we want to see improvement and skills transfer and acquisition happening in areas that are often considered peripheral to the agenda of the skills revolution," Dube-Ncube said.
She described the academy as a practical example of how education and skills development can create real pathways to employment and economic participation.
"Our commitment to the skills revolution extends beyond the lecture room and classroom. It is a commitment that seeks to ensure that we reduce the harrowing percentage of youth unemployment," the Deputy Minister said.
Inspiring Youth To Join The Aviation Industry
The Deputy Minister said the academy sends an important message to young people that careers in aviation and engineering are accessible regardless of their background.
"The students of Inanda can be artisans, technicians, and belong to the aviation industry too," she said.
She added that the initiative should inspire young people across South Africa, including those in remote provinces such as Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga, to pursue careers in engineering and aircraft maintenance.
"The sky is not the limit. We are encouraged to shatter the glass ceiling [and] see young women and men dominating the skills industry, " Dube-Ncube said.
Youth Month Focus On Skills And Innovation
The launch took place during Youth Month, a period dedicated to recognising the role of young people in South Africa’s history and addressing the challenges they face today.
Dube-Ncube emphasised that innovation, technical expertise and Africa’s future advancement depend heavily on the country’s youth.
“This youth month, we say our revolution is present to the needs of the Youth of South Africa. We recognize fully that innovation, African advancement, designing of systems, technical expertise for industry access and improvement, lies solely in the hands of our youth!” Dube-Ncube said.
Why This Matters For South African Youth
The launch of the aircraft maintenance academy represents an important step in expanding access to high-demand technical skills and creating opportunities in the aviation sector.
For young people interested in engineering, aviation and technical trades, the academy offers a new pathway into a specialised industry that has traditionally been difficult to access for many communities.
Government hopes the initiative will contribute to skills development, job creation and greater inclusion in South Africa’s growing technical and engineering sectors.
