The South African Green Hydrogen TVET Ecosystem Just Transition Strategic Framework

This report outlines a strategic framework for South Africa's TVET ecosystem to support a just transition toward a Green Hydrogen Economy. It emphasizes the need to mitigate labor market upheaval in a coal-dependent economy with a 35.3% unemployment rate by focusing on reskilling, economic diversification, and social support.

• South Africa's economy is heavily dependent on coal and is among the most carbon-intensive globally, ranking as the 13th highest emitter in the world and the highest in Africa. This position necessitates a shift toward green energy as the global energy transition accelerates, a process further spurred by the energy security crisis resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• The transition from fossil-fuel based economies is expected to cause significant labor market upheaval due to the decline of certain industries and the emergence of others. In South Africa, which faces a 35.3% unemployment rate and the 'triple challenge' of poverty, inequality, and unemployment, a 'just transition' is required to protect workers and communities. Proposed tools for this transition include economic diversification in affected regions, reskilling the workforce for growth industries, temporary income support, and increased social welfare.
• The report, co-developed by SAIIA, consortium partners, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), and other government stakeholders, focuses on the role of the vocational skills development system—specifically the TVET ecosystem—in facilitating a skills and training just transition. It provides strategic actions and policy recommendations for public and private stakeholders to develop a Green Hydrogen Economy (GHE)-TVET ecosystem.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2022). The South African Green Hydrogen TVET Ecosystem Just Transition Strategic Framework. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-south-african-green-hydrogen-tvet-ecosystem-just-transition-strategic-framework/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. The South African Green Hydrogen TVET Ecosystem Just Transition Strategic Framework. 2022. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-south-african-green-hydrogen-tvet-ecosystem-just-transition-strategic-framework/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=The South African Green Hydrogen TVET Ecosystem Just Transition Strategic Framework |date=6 December 2022 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/the-south-african-green-hydrogen-tvet-ecosystem-just-transition-strategic-framework/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2022south, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{The South African Green Hydrogen TVET Ecosystem Just Transition Strategic Framework}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2022}, month = dec, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/the-south-african-green-hydrogen-tvet-ecosystem-just-transition-strategic-framework/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }