By Levy Masiteng
The deputy minister of Higher Education and Training, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, on Tuesday officially launched a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) laboratory at Letaba TVET College’s Tzaneen Campus, saying it was a critical investment in shaping South Africa’s future skills pipeline and tackling unemployment.
According to the department, the lab is designed to equip students and lecturers with cutting-edge technological skills aligned to the demands of a rapidly changing job market.
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It also provides access to modern digital tools, practical training platforms and innovation-focused learning that support careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Speaking during the handover, Dube-Ncube said technology should be embraced rather than feared, while noting that innovation was moving at an unprecedented pace.
She said that education, training and innovation are central pillars of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030.
Addressing students, she said: “What it means for you here is that you are at the centre of ensuring that the mechanism of education is used properly by yourselves, to ensure that when you are linked to the job market, you can tangibly contribute to the reduction of unemployment.
“This is particularly important with the increasing appetite in the job market for STEM careers.”
Dube-Ncube challenged students to take ownership of the national development agenda.
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She called on those in attendance to see themselves as custodians of the NDP, urging them to fully utilise the new facility.
“You must use the 4IR lab to its fullest capacity,” she said. “Learn from it, learn in it, and soar in your chosen careers.”
The 4IR project is funded by the ETDP SETA. It includes infrastructure development, refurbishment of the laboratory, training for students and lecturers, as well as the provision of specialised equipment needed to support advanced learning and innovation.
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