Sekhukhune TVET College hosts FTSEZ and TPSS for skills development programme

GROBLRSDAL – A team comprising representatives from Fetakgomo-Tubatse Special Economic Zone (FTSEZ) and Eskom Tubatse Pump Storage Scheme (TPSS) have on Tuesday 27 May 2025, visited the Sekhukhune TVET College Skills Development Centre in Groblersdal, CS Barlow Campus, Centre for Entrepreneurship (CfERI), and Centre of Specialisation (CoS) for skills development benchmarking programme on carpentry.

The FTSEZ forms part of the South African Government’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) programme, aiming to enhance the country’s manufacturing and export capabilities and attract foreign direct investment.

The FTSEZ is positioned to be a top investment destination for companies seeking to be at the forefront of green energy ‘Just Transition’.

According to Abicky Kgolane, Sekhukhune TVET College Spokesperson, the visit comes after the DHE Limpopo Region has been approached by FTSEZ and TPSS to assist in developing skills plans for their identified projects.

“The benchmarking visit aimed to observe skills training programmes on the ground against the demand in relation to FTSEZ and TPSS needs. It was also set to get a general idea of the available infrastructure, resources, and technology used in training,” he said.

He added that the homage was also aimed to foster a common understanding of the offerings in public and private institutions versus response to the skills demand-supply of FTSEZ and TPSS.

“The programme also gathered information to guide the direction and proceedings of the upcoming stakeholder workshop and conscientize institutions about the FTSEZ and TPSS projects and obtain best practice advisory in response to their needed skills,” Kgolane said.

The FTSEZ is being developed through a partnership between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Limpopo Provincial Government, Sekhukhune District Municipality, and Fetakgomo-Tubatse Municipality.

It is gearing up to become a centre of excellence for green energy manufacturing, agro-processing, and mineral beneficiation.

The TPSS aims to provide large grid-scale energy storage and additional economical peaking generating capacity, facilitate the future competitive energy industry, and support variable renewable energy integration.

Given that both FTSEZ and TPSS are within the same municipal area, the DHE Limpopo Region has agreed on integrated support mechanisms with their management, as their skills needs are almost similar.