Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has officiated the sod-turning ceremony to mark the start of construction of the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority’s (W&RSETA'S) first skills development centre, in Groblersdal, Limpopo, this week.
The R146-million centre supports the objectives of the National Skills Development Plan to provide infrastructure development at technical and vocational education and training colleges to produce artisans.
Government has set a bold target to produce 30 000 artisans a year by 2023.
“I am pleased to be joining you today as we kickstart what will be one of the biggest skills development centres in our country, in the Limpopo province and in the Sekhukhune district at large," Nzimande said.
He added that the construction of the skills development centre would contribute to the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Decade of the Artisan initiative, while also contributing to developing critical skills.
He said the centre would assist in advancing rural development, while also creating sustainable livelihoods for the benefit of the youth of Sekhukhune, in particular, and Limpopo province at large.
“It makes perfect sense to me that this centre should be constructed in a predominantly rural area, to offer the type of training that is relevant to the economic development needs and niches of this region.
"As you might be aware, as a country and a government we are working to rebuild our economy after the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic which severely disrupted our economic activity and put numerous investments on hold,” he stated.