Moses kotane: The North West Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), aimed at leveraging the province's skills base to drive socio-economic development and combat unemployment and poverty, has been relaunched. North West Premier Kagiso Lazarus Mokgosi recently spearheaded the relaunch at the Mankwe Campus of Orbit TVET College in Moses Kotane Local Municipality.
According to South African Government News Agency, the council is part of the reconceptualised national HRDC strategy and Master Skills Plan, designed to align South Africa's education and training systems with the demands of the labor market. Chaired by Premier Mokgosi, the council will serve as a multi-sectoral advisory and coordination platform, gathering stakeholders from government departments, municipalities, higher education and training institutions, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), organised labor, business representatives, civil society, and community members.
Premier Mokgosi emphasized the council's role as a strategic and catalytic platform to accelerate human capital development in the province. He highlighted the importance of committing to skills development to empower young people, stimulate economic growth, and create jobs. Despite the province's abundant natural resources, Mokgosi pointed out that low skill levels hinder the region's economic potential.
The Premier noted that the recently adopted Provincial Growth and Development Strategy identifies key economic drivers such as mining, agriculture and agro-processing, tourism, renewable energy, and infrastructure development. However, he stressed that growth in these sectors requires a robust skills base, and the HRDC will be pivotal in planning, coordinating, and implementing skills development to support these sectors.
The council's tasks will include strengthening artisan development, technical skills training, expanding workplace-based learning, internships, and learnerships. It will also focus on empowering youth, women, and people with disabilities through targeted programs. The council will consist of members from the Executive Council, District Executive Mayors, and the Economic and Investment Advisory Committee, led by Professor John Lamola and Professor Raymond Parsons. Academic representatives will include Professor Bismark Tyobeka and Dr. Pradheep Balkrishen, while organized labor, business, and civil society will be represented by Kabelo Kgoro, Benedict Modise, and Dieketseng Diale, respectively.
Premier Mokgosi urged council members to lead with integrity, transparency, and urgency, ensuring that skills development budgets are effectively allocated and targeted.