Smart skills centre makes historic debut in Phuthaditjhaba
The centre will provide cutting-edge digital training
In a landmark partnership to expand access to digital education, the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) has launched a Smart Skills Centre in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State, in collaboration with the Free State Department of Education.
CHIETA will also work with training providers and development partners through discretionary grants to ensure the centre remains a hub for community upliftment and sustainable economic growth.
Image: Supplied
Located in one of the province’s most underserved regions covering QwaQwa, Kestell, and Harrismith, the centre will provide cutting-edge digital training, entrepreneurship programmes, and accredited courses designed to equip over 20,000 individuals in the next five years with the skills needed for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the green economy.
“The Smart Skills Centre is a testament to our commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that young people from historically marginalised communities can access the same opportunities as their urban counterparts. By bringing advanced training and innovation closer to where people live, we are unlocking the potential of every learner to contribute meaningfully to the economy.” – Buti Kgwaridi Manamela, Minister of Higher Education.
The Minister’s words underscored the shared commitment between government and industry to create accessible pathways for skills development that will enable rural and peri-urban communities to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.
The launch of the Free State Smart Skills Centre builds on the momentum of CHIETA’s national rollout, which has already seen centres successfully established in Saldanha Bay, Mojadjiskloof, Babanango, Gqeberha, Highveld, Fraserburg, and Brits. With over 36 767 beneficiaries reached to date, CHIETA is driving digital transformation in rural and peri-urban communities across South Africa. The authority has invested R31.1 million in these seven centres, achieving a return on investment of R845 per learner.
CHIETA will also work with training providers and development partners through discretionary grants to ensure the centre remains a hub for community upliftment and sustainable economic growth.