PROVINCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FORUM RELAUNCHED IN EAST LONDON

The Provincial Skills Development Forum (PSDF) has been officially relaunched this week at the East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), bringing together key stakeholders, including SETAs, the National Skills Authority, organized labour, business representatives, and government departments.

The PSDF aims to align skills development with the Provincial Development Growth Plan (PDGP), focusing on boosting the local economy, improving livelihoods, and promoting quality in education and training. It also serves as a vital link between the National Skills Authority and provincial stakeholders, guided by the Skills Development Act 37 of 2008.

Key objectives include addressing community-specific training needs, identifying scarce skills, and creating a Provincial Master Skills Plan. The forum plans to collaborate with universities, TVET colleges, and community colleges while supporting initiatives like learnerships, apprenticeships, and job creation programmes.

Located within the Office of the Premier, the PSDF will be supported by a secretariat to ensure coordination and implementation. The relaunch marks the Provincial Government s renewed commitment to building a skilled and empowered workforce that contributes to both urban and rural development in the Eastern Cape.