Central SA
Renewable energy: Free State institution sharpens teacher skills─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 10:31 Thu, 01 Jun 2023
With South Africa experiencing significant load-shedding, the Central University of Technology has rolled out the first-of-its-kind short course in renewable energy to refine the skills of subject advisers and STEM teachers in the Free State.
The renewable energy programme started off on 29 May and is expected to be concluded on 2 June 2023 at the CUT campus based in Bloemfontein. According to the statement issued by the institution, the five-day professional developmental short cause is aimed at sharpening the skills of subject advisors and STEM teachers in the province.
Renewable energy as an emerging field has become very crucial, especially with load-shedding and challenges of developing education and training programmes that are responsive to the sector.
Last year, the spokesperson in the Office of the Presidency, Vincent Magwenya, emphasised the importance of training people to get skills to be able to take up positions in new industries. He mentioned that communities need to benefit from the building of new renewable energy plants and new industries that produce materials for renewable energy, electric vehicles, green hydrogen and mining for minerals needed in the new economy.
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Meanwhile, the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology (FEBIT), together with the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) and the South African Council for Educators (SACE), already rolled out a short course in renewable energy.
It is understood that for the duration of the programme, topics such as introduction and fundamentals, Photovoltaic (PV) system components, Introduction to wind power generation, solar thermal technologies, and hydro power generation will be covered. In addition, the participants will also be exposed to Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Wind Power practical exercises.
One of the programme facilitators and presenters, Prof. Kanzumba Kusakana, stated that the programme provides the current content and pedagogical knowledge, and the roll-out of Renewable Energy (RE) systems is intended to provide new job opportunities, thus supporting employment growth and socio-economic development as envisioned in the National Development Plan.
He also mentioned the programme will assist in increasing learners’ interest in the renewable energy field, leading to increased students and graduates in the STEM fields, particularly this fast-growing renewable energy career.
