Statutory body the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA), in partnership with glass group PG Group, has launched a new Smart Skills Centre, in Gauteng, aiming to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive skills development.
This latest centre, housed at PG Group premises, is equipped with advanced digital tools and resources to empower unemployed youth and emerging entrepreneurs with job-ready, future-focused skills.
By offering virtual reality (VR) technologies for artisan training, to smart boardrooms for business incubation, the centre aspires to serve as a catalyst for economic inclusion in the province.
“We want to ensure that nobody is left behind in the digital revolution. These centres are not only digital infrastructure but also social infrastructure, offering thousands of youth across South Africa a second chance to gain the skills they need for a fast-changing world of work.
“This partnership between the private and public sector shows the value in working together for maximum impact,” says CHIETA CEO Yershen Pillay.
PG Group will host the Gauteng Smart Skills Centre.
“Our collaboration with CHIETA is driven by a shared commitment to empowering South Africa’s youth with tangible opportunities for success. By opening our premises to house the Smart Skills Centre, we are investing in a future where innovation and inclusivity define the workplace,” says PG Group CEO Charles Bromley.
The launch of the Gauteng centre follows the rollout of similar centres in Saldanha Bay, Mojadjiskloof, Babanango, Gqeberha, Highveld, Fraserburg and Brits.
More than 35 000 beneficiaries have been reached thus far, CHIETA highlights, adding that it has invested R26.6-million in seven centres to date, yielding a return on investment of R760 per learner.
Access to the centre is subject to defined criteria and controlled processes to ensure effective use of the resources provided, the body points out. 
