Nepoworx Announces Its Partnership With MerSETA
Nepoworx Announces Its Partnership With MerSETA. Nepoworx Renewable Energy Institution (Nepoworx) and the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA (MerSETA) are pleased to announce that the two entities have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to implement a nationwide green skills programme, targeting unemployed youth that are to be trained as Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Service Technicians.
The objective of the programme is to upskill learners to potentially be employed either at photovoltaic farms or rooftop solar PV installations. Upon the completion of the programme, qualified learners will be able to plan, design and install a photovoltaic system and learn about the operation and maintenance of such a system to ensure its continued operation. The programme is important to build the required solar PV skills capacity that are critical to implement South Africa’s plans to accelerate the increase in generation capacity and to enable businesses and households to invest in rooftop solar, as announced recently by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his address to the nation on the energy crisis.
“With a staggering youth unemployment rate of 63.9% (first quarter 2022) for those aged 15-24 and energy supply shortages that are constraining economic growth, we believe the programme will be a catalyst towards alleviating these challenges. As an institution we advocate for a Just Transition that is focused on social inclusion and the creation of decent work and quality jobs,” said Nonjabulo Sokhela, Chief Executive Officer of Nepoworx.
Considering the recent removal of the licensing threshold for new embedded generation projects and the imminent introduction of net metering by a number of municipalities, there will be an increased demand for solar PV technicians. It is therefore important that the youth are capacitated to take advantage of such opportunities. The programme will encompass knowledge, practical, and work experience components.
During the work experience component, the participants will gain the requisite exposure needed to qualify as solar PV technicians which will assist them in securing employment in the renewable energy sector. “We therefore call upon renewable energy Independent Power Producers, advisory companies, Engineering Procurement & Construction (EPC) companies, Operations, and Maintenance companies, and Solar Photovoltaic Installation companies to collaborate with us in providing work exposure to the learners enrolled into the programme,” said Sokhela.
