EWSETA is embarking on its journey to not only diversify and innovate across its operations, but to bring fresh impetus into South Africa’s water and energy sector more broadly.

Simply, the demographic of personnel currently working within the sector points to an imminent drop off of skills and capacity. Far from this being a crisis or workforce challenge, though, EWSETA is excited about the opportunity to refresh the sector demographic, urging younger skills into the organisation and industry more broadly.

Their rallying cry: “Fuel your dreams and fuel your career!”

“We have such a large number of older people who will be retiring from the sector soon, so to take EWSETA and energy as an industry forward, we have to invest in young people, now,” said the organisation’s Energy Sector Manager, Khetsiwe Mtiyane Dlamini.

“The future of energy quite literally exists in universities and schools right now, and it’s important that the fresh mindset and new takes on innovation actually reach the sector and get into the market.”

This push for a younger, more dynamic sector workforce coincides with greater dynamism within the energy and water space. Significant transformation is being driven by decarbonisation efforts, the need for greater energy security, and the push for more inclusive economic growth.

“Skills development is critical to ensuring our Just Energy Transition, and meeting the demands of everything from renewable energy, to green hydrogen, grid modernisation and much more,” Khetsiwe added.

This doesn’t mean that all of the targeted younger generation need to be geared towards energy and utility expertise, however.

Maths, science, IT, law, marketing, accounting… EWSETA is affirming that the range of skills that makes up a successful governmental authority span far beyond what’s seen on the front line of energy and water.

Khetsiwe continued: “We need all the skills that ultimately help to contribute to our transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. We want to integrate digital and emerging technologies, to expand energy infrastructure and maintenance, and to diversify skills development to find more innovative solutions across the entire energy and water value chain.”

The connection between EWSETA and those who will shape South Africa’s energy and water future is facilitated through both school and post-school partnerships, bursaries and opportunities, as well as dedicated training institutions.

As the search for those who will shape South Africa’s water and energy future continues, EWSETA feel confident that it can tick off its four overarching priorities: to drive a high performance culture, to drive a credible skills planning mechanism, to harness innovation, and to support SMMEs and the informal sector.