PREPARING LEARNERS FOR THE ECONOMY

The launch comes at a time when South Africa continues to confront a significant mismatch between education and labour-market requirements.

Approximately 30.3% of workers are employed in occupations that do not match the field of their highest educational qualification, while the 2024 National List of Occupations in High Demand identifies 350 occupations in which employers are likely to recruit in the medium term.

Occupations aligned to skills developed at Olympia Park include automotive motor mechanics, plumbers, welders, hairdressers and nail technicians.

“We cannot separate the future of education from the future of our economy. Our schools must equip learners with skills that have practical value beyond the school gates.

“A learner who develops expertise in motor mechanics, welding, plumbing, agriculture, food production, sewing, hairdressing or beauty must be able to see a pathway from that skill towards further training, employment or entrepreneurship,” MEC Maile highlighted.