Johannesburg: A new partnership between government and the private sector is set to equip thousands of South African students with critical digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills aimed at improving their chances of securing future employment. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed between the Department of Higher Education and Training and Google South Africa, will expand access to training programmes across universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, and Community Education and Training (CET) institutions.
According to South African Government News Agency, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, said the initiative is designed to prepare students for a rapidly evolving job market shaped by digital transformation. Gondwe emphasized the importance of digital and AI skills for navigating the modern world and securing future employment opportunities, particularly for students in remote and township areas. The agreement marks the fourth public-private partnership spearheaded by Gondwe's office to strengthen youth skills development.
The Google MoU seeks to enhance digital skills, incorporate AI in higher education, and promote workforce development in South Africa. It will offer access to training programmes for public universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges, including an initial 10,000 Google Career Certificate scholarships. In addition to student training, the partnership will prioritize upskilling educators through initiatives such as Generative AI for Educators and a 'train-the-trainer' model to promote wider skills sharing across institutions.
The agreement also includes support for curriculum development, with Google providing access to AI tools and collaborating with institutions to develop locally relevant content. Device support will be enhanced through the deployment of ChromeOS Flex to revitalize existing hardware, offering strategic hardware advice, and empowering IT teams through advanced training. The MoU will also include collaboration on policy and governance, sharing expertise on AI policy development and the use of AI in public institutions.
Kabelo Makwane, Google South Africa Country Director, highlighted the partnership's commitment to building local capacity and unlocking economic potential through technology. He noted that digital technology, particularly AI, is a massive catalyst for South Africa, with Google tools alone contributing significant economic value in 2023. The agreement will be implemented over a period of two years.