In a powerful address at the "Mapping Alternative Pathways into the Labour Market” Symposium hosted by the Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council (ECSECC) in East London, Eastern Cape Premier, Mr. Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, emphasised the important role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in dismantling barriers to youth employment.
The two-day symposium, hailed as the first of its kind in South Africa, provided a platform for aspirant entrepreneurs, government leaders, educators, policymakers, and the private sector to collaborate on strategies that position TVET colleges as launchpads for economic opportunity, innovation, and inclusive development.
Premier Mabuyane described the urgent need to address the systemic challenges that continue to hold back young people from accessing meaningful economic opportunities. "Our immediate and critical task is to overcome the barriers standing between our youth and the labour market,” he said. "Those barriers can and must be broken through deliberate investment in skills development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.”
The Premier also linked TVET education directly to the province’s economic ambitions. He said the province was pursuing five growth frontiers; manufacturing, agriculture, ocean economy, tourism and digital economy, to dramatically reduce its unemployment rate.
He highlighted the province’s strategic advantage, with eight TVET colleges located across the province, acting as "engines of opportunity” by connecting education directly to the demands of the workplace. "TVET colleges are crucial to building a skilled, work-ready youth population. They bridge the gap between theory and practice, nurturing talent for key industries,” the Premier said.
However, Premier Mabuyane acknowledged the current challenges faced by TVET students, many of whom enroll with hope but exit without the credentials or skills they need. In response, he outlined a series of reforms under way, including improved management and accountability, upgraded infrastructure and equipment, and enhanced professional development for lecturers.
"Our educators must stay aligned with evolving industry standards,” he stated. "A diploma from an Eastern Cape TVET college must be a mark of excellence, signalling a graduate who is ready to contribute meaningfully from day one.”
Beyond practical interventions, Premier Mabuyane called for a cultural shift in how society views vocational education and entrepreneurship. "We need to celebrate the value of skilled artisans, technicians, and entrepreneurs. Too often, TVET colleges are seen as a ‘second choice,’ and entrepreneurship as a last resort. This mindset must change.”
He affirmed the equal value of different career paths, stating: "Becoming an artisan, technician, or software developer is just as prestigious and vital as becoming a lawyer, academic or doctor. And starting a business is not just an act of ambition - it is an act of leadership and service.”
In closing, Premier Mabuyane challenged young people to adopt a mindset of self-empowerment: "Let us build a culture where the first question is not ‘Who will give me a job?’ but rather ‘What problem can I solve, and how many people can I employ solving it?’
Adding energy and purpose to the event were students from all eight TVET colleges in the Eastern Cape. Among them were four exceptional finalists of the 2024 Allan Gray Makers Entrepreneurship Competition, showcasing the growing wave of entrepreneurial talent in the province.
The symposium’s rich and engaging programme was structured around four focused panel discussions:
- Panel One: Entrepreneurship and Employment Activation – Examined how entrepreneurship can serve as a catalyst for job creation and economic participation.
- Panel Two: Business Incubation – Mapping Articulation Pathways for Enterprise Development – Explored the role of incubators and support systems in nurturing emerging businesses.
- Panel Three: Enabling Entrepreneurial Success – Addressed the barriers and enablers of business growth, with insights from both policy-makers and entrepreneurs.
- Panel Four: Emerging Research on Employability and Entrepreneurship – Shared new findings and academic perspectives on improving the readiness of TVET graduates for both formal employment and entrepreneurial ventures.
The symposium further celebrated the dedication of those shaping future entrepreneurs by hosting a gala dinner in recognition of the hardworking coordinators of the diverse entrepreneurship programmes across the TVET colleges.
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