Speaking at Water Wise’s Drop-by-Drop Water Conservation Outreach Project in Soweto – Nkanyezi Blose, project manager, EWSETA – highlights that communities are central to building a sustainable future.

The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) is one of South Africa’s 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) established under the Skills Development Act.

“We are proud to work together with all of these stakeholders to build a sustainable community in Soweto. When community members have access to skills and knowledge, they have the power to transform the environment, the economy and the future,” says Blose.

EWSETA builds, plans and manages skills development and training in the energy and water sector. The organisation researches the skills needed for both sectors and implements learnerships, internships, apprenticeships and skills programmes in different communities and also collaborates with different government departments and organisations.

Blose adds that townships in particular have a shortage of skilled and qualified water and sanitation artisans.

“Municipalities often lack the skills to maintain infrastructure and detect and repair leaks. There is also a phenomenon where skilled people are retiring and leaving the workplace and we need people to replace them.”

In the water space, EWSETA focuses on skills around water conservation and management, water quality and treatment, infrastructure maintenance, wastewater treatment, water reuse and recycling, water monitoring and data management.

“We don’t only need scientists and engineers. For every young person who hasn’t made it to university, there is still a path forward: technical training, on-the-job experience, entrepreneurial development. We believe that everyone can learn a skill. Everyone can build something. And it is these skills that will build a new tomorrow,” concludes Blose.