Pretoria: Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Mmapaseka Steve Letsike has emphasized the pivotal role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates in bridging the gap between skills development and economic opportunities in South Africa.

According to South African Government News Agency, Letsike addressed young built-environment professionals at the Institute of Building Inspectors Youth Sector Business Breakfast. She highlighted that TVET graduates are essential in tackling skills shortages, youth unemployment, and transformation within the construction and infrastructure sectors. Letsike described these graduates as the crucial link between artisan knowledge and professional recognition, technical skills and regulatory authority, and the transition from township and college pathways to formal professional status.

The Deputy Minister's remarks come amid ongoing challenges of high youth unemployment, with many graduates finding it difficult to gain workplace experience and professional registration despite completing their studies. She argued for a shift in perception, advocating for TVET education to be viewed as a credible pathway to professional careers and leadership roles, rather than a secondary option.

Letsike pointed to the success of the Gauteng-funded Youth Building Inspector Programme as a model for providing workplace learning opportunities through collaborations with municipalities, higher education institutions, and industry stakeholders. This initiative has successfully placed 248 unemployed built-environment graduates in workplace learning opportunities and supported 51 young women on their journey toward professional registration.

According to Letsike, the programme underscores that South Africa is not lacking in talent but often fails to provide the necessary support systems for young people transitioning from education to employment. She stressed the importance of creating visible opportunities for career progression and professional advancement to encourage young people to embrace TVET pathways.

The Deputy Minister also urged government departments, municipalities, professional councils, the private sector, and educational institutions to collaborate in creating seamless pathways from training to employment. She advocated for making registration processes more accessible while maintaining high standards, ensuring that candidate categories serve as bridges rather than traps.

Letsike challenged private companies to invest in mentorship, internships, and workplace opportunities that lead to meaningful careers, rather than temporary placements. She emphasized that South Africa's infrastructure development goals depend on attracting, training, and retaining a new generation of skilled professionals. Empowering TVET graduates and young professionals would not only enhance the built-environment sector but also contribute to economic growth, improved municipal capacity, and more inclusive development.