Rachel: "We want to support South Africa in more closely gearing vocational education and training to labour market demands."
One of the major challenges in South Africa is high youth unemployment. One reason for this is that there is often a lack of high-quality vocational education and training (VET).
Good quality vocational education and training is therefore a key factor in competitiveness, well-being and social stability. The commercial success of German companies active in South Africa is also dependent on the local availability of well-trained, skilled workers. Germany and South Africa have been cooperating in the area of vocational education and training since 2013 for this reason.
German experts are advising the South African government on the reform of the vocational education and training system based on Germany's dual model. Thomas Rachel, Parliamentary Secretary of State in the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and Naledi Pandor, the South African Education Minister, signed a declaration of intent to continue the successful cooperation.
"The new version of the declaration of intent regarding collaboration in vocational education and training underlines the close and trusting relationship between our two countries. It reflects the high level of interest Germany has in South Africa. It is evidence of the South African government's willingness to lay the foundations for delivering high-quality training to young people," explains Rachel.
With the resigning of the declaration of intent today, new themes will also be added to the existing cooperation. Secretary of State Rachel explains: "In the future we will focus on the ongoing development of vocational education and training formats in digital transformation, intensify cooperation in VET research, and strengthen the role of commercial enterprises in vocational education and training."
The VET collaboration with South Africa has existed since 2013 on the basis of a joint declaration of intent, which was already extended in 2016. Key areas of activity are the development of a statutory framework as well as innovative and competence-based curricula, consultancy activities relating to cooperation of government, business and social partners, as well as the continuing education and training of teachers at vocational schools with respect to improved alignment with labour market requirements.