Johannesburg: With the rising global support for just transition finance, South Africans are set to benefit from employment and training opportunities arising from the Just Energy Transition projects. In South Africa, the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan has attracted over R350 billion in private renewable energy investment since 2023, alongside significant international commitments.
According to South African Government News Agency, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr. Dion George emphasized the importance of these projects during a recent statement. He highlighted that every new solar panel, waste separation project, and trained environmental monitor represents more than just statistics. These efforts contribute to the dignity, work, and future of families across South Africa. The Minister stressed that the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s focus is not only on job numbers but also on the quality of work, with training and support that prepare participants for long-term employment.
The Minister elaborated on initiatives like Youth Environmental Services, Youth Jobs in Waste, and Environmental Monitors, which are providing thousands of South Africans with accredited training, mentorship, and career pathways in fields such as biodiversity conservation, aquaculture, waste management, and renewable energy. Furthermore, the National Employment Vulnerability Assessment is designed to ensure that workers in sectors like coal, metals, petroleum, agriculture, and tourism are supported with resilience plans, making the country’s just transition practical and inclusive.
Through the Expanded Public Works Programme, the department has committed to creating 121,059 work opportunities over the next five years. This is equivalent to more than 77,000 full-time jobs, with 60% of these opportunities allocated to women, 55% to youth, and 2% to persons with disabilities. The Minister concluded by asserting that every government decision should be evaluated based on its ability to create work, and confidently stated that the department’s programmes are successfully providing jobs today while building the skills South Africa needs for the future.