Durban ICC - The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli, together with the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Musa Zondi, led a two-day Jobs and Skills Summit aimed at addressing unemployment, skills shortages and job creation in the province.
The Summit served as a strategic platform to foster collaboration among key stakeholders, including government, private sector leaders, entrepreneurs, organised labour, non-governmental organisations, education and training institutions, and the broader workforce.
Through this inclusive engagement, the Provincial Government sought to strengthen partnerships that drive sustainable economic growth, promote innovation and expand employment opportunities for the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
The Summit formed part of broader provincial efforts to build a resilient and inclusive economy capable of responding to current and future labour market demands.
Aligning Skills Development with Industry Needs
A key focus of the Summit was the alignment of education and training systems with the evolving needs of industry. Stakeholders within the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector engaged on practical solutions to challenges affecting skills development, particularly in relation to Work-Based Learning (WBL).
These discussions aimed to improve the transition from education to employment, ensuring that graduates and job seekers are equipped with relevant, market-driven skills.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in human capital development to build a skilled, capable and competitive workforce.
Through coordinated action and strategic investment, the province aims to unlock inclusive economic growth, attract investment and create sustainable employment opportunities for its citizens.
The Jobs and Skills Summit underscored the province’s commitment to addressing unemployment through collaborative, solution-driven approaches that place skills development and economic participation at the centre of development.
ENDS