Staff Reporter
THE Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) has launched the Brits SMART SKILLS CENTRE, a groundbreaking initiative to develop digital skills in Brits and its surrounding regions.
Spearheaded by the CHIETA in collaboration with Orbit TVET College, this centre promises to catalyse innovation and opportunity in the community.
The centre aims to bridge the digital skills divide and accelerate the development of basic digital skills for a future-fit workplace as part of the CHIETA strategy to innovate for impact in societies nationwide.
Since October 2022, CHIETA has established smart skills centres in Saldana Bay in the Western Cape, at the Mthashana Skills Centre in Babanango, a small rural town near Melmoth in Kwazulu-Natal and at the Iqhayiya campus of the Port Elizabeth TVET College in Gqeberha.
It follows a call from the Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, who articulated a vision for SMART Skills Centres to be established in all parts of the country by 2020.
The Brits SMART Skills Centre will provide comprehensive digital skills programs tailored for enterprises, individuals, schools, and TVET colleges. With a particular focus on rural learners, the centre aims to bridge the digital divide by offering access to data and a wide range of training courses.
“Whether you’re a job seeker, a budding entrepreneur, or a small business owner looking to expand, our services are designed to empower you on your journey to success,” said CHIETA chief executive officer Yershen Pillay.
Key Features of the Centre Include:
- Access to Data Resources
- Tailored Training Courses
- Support for Job Seekers
- Assistance for Business Start-ups
- Growth Opportunities for SMMEs
CHIETA plans to launch in Giyani next as part of its goal of building an intelligent centre in every province in the country. This will ensure people in rural areas can access free services and training courses, with data access for job seekers, small and medium enterprises (SMMEs), and business start-ups. The centre is fully automated and has equipment that meets 4IR training requirements.
According to Pillay, “The SMART Skills Centres usher in a new era of skills development and training that would be located within rural communities and able to offer digitised training programmes for rural masses.”
Deputy Director General in the Department of Higher Education, Zukile Mvalo, welcomed the centre’s opening in Brits. “As a department, we are proud of the groundbreaking work done by CHIETA in rolling out Smart Centres in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The North-West is next to benefit from the Smart Centres; we are excited at the impactful outcomes, particularly its potential impact on people of Brits,” he said.
The launch follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Orbit TVET College less than a year ago.
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