The Historic Inauguration of Unisa's UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre

On March 23, 2026, the University of South Africa (Unisa) marked a pivotal moment in higher education by inaugurating its UNESCO-UNEVOC Network Centre at the Science Campus in Florida, Johannesburg. This event underscores Unisa's commitment to elevating Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), a critical area for addressing South Africa's persistent skills shortages and youth unemployment crisis. Attended by government officials, industry leaders, diplomats, and UNESCO representatives, the ceremony highlighted collaborative efforts to foster innovative skills development not just in South Africa but across Africa and globally.

Unisa, Africa's largest open distance e-learning institution with over 400,000 students from more than 130 countries, leverages its unique model to make vocational training accessible to marginalized communities. Founded in 1873, Unisa pioneered distance education worldwide, blending vocational and academic programs with international accreditation.

Understanding the UNESCO-UNEVOC Network

The UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, based in Bonn, Germany, leads a global network of over 245 centres spanning more than 150 countries. These centres act as focal points for research, policy dialogue, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in TVET. UNEVOC Centres promote standards, facilitate international cooperation, and disseminate resources like publications, case studies, and databases.

In South Africa, Unisa joins Durban University of Technology (DUT) and JET Education Services as the third member, strengthening the nation's position in continental TVET advancement. The network aligns with UNESCO's TVET Strategy 2022-2029, emphasizing economic development, social justice, sustainable livelihoods, and lifelong learning to ensure no learner is left behind.

Unisa's Path to UNEVOC Membership

Unisa's admission to the UNEVOC Network in December 2024 followed rigorous evaluation of its TVET contributions. As a comprehensive open distance e-learning (CoDeL) university, Unisa offers higher certificates, diplomas, and short learning programmes (SLPs) in fields like safety management, security, and online teaching for TVET lecturers. Partnerships with select TVET colleges provide face-to-face support for modules, enhancing accessibility for working students and rural learners.

The centre's structure includes a coordinator (Prof Sello Mokoena), manager, programme officers, and administrative support under Principal and Vice-Chancellor Prof Puleng LenkaBula. This setup positions Unisa to lead in skilling, upskilling, and reskilling youth through work placements, webinars, conferences, and collaborative projects.

Highlights from the Ceremony

The inauguration featured a plaque handover, ribbon-cutting, and official photo session. Prof LenkaBula welcomed guests, stressing TVET's role in bridging skills gaps amid high youth unemployment rates—estimated at 46.1% for ages 15-34 in early 2025 and up to 62.4% for 15-24-year-olds. She noted, “TVET programmes are vital for bridging the skills gap... offering practical, industry-aligned training.”

• Keynote by Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga (Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities): Urged investment in TVET for digitalisation, green economies, and Agenda 2063 alignment.
• DHET Director-General Dr Nkosinathi Sishi: Linked the centre to national reforms like the Human Resource Development Strategy and Master Skills Plan 2030.
• UNEVOC's Olivier Pieume and Friedrich Huebler: Praised Unisa's inclusive approach.

Stakeholders from ATUPA, ETDP SETA, and industry affirmed partnerships for a demand-responsive skills system.

Photo by Fotos on Unsplash

South Africa's TVET Landscape: Challenges and Reforms

South Africa's post-school education includes 1.1 million university students, 527,000 in TVET colleges, and 130,000 in community education (2025 figures). Yet, TVET throughput is low at 10%, with 60% dropout rates due to outdated curricula, lecturer shortages, and funding gaps.

Reforms target occupational programmes, dual training systems, and alignment with labour markets via the Master Skills Plan (2024-2030) and HRD Strategy Towards 2030. These aim to coordinate skills development, reduce inequality, and support economic growth amid a stagnant economy. TVET enrolment is rising as students opt for trades, but infrastructure and quality lag.

Skills mismatches exacerbate unemployment: despite high joblessness, sectors like engineering and IT face shortages. Unisa's distance model addresses access, especially for the 40% without bachelor's passes.

The Unisa UNEVOC Centre's Strategic Role

Unisa's centre focuses on electronic information sharing, youth work placements, social cohesion, green citizenship, and capacity-building events. It disseminates UNEVOC resources and local research via Unisa's platforms and regional offices. By promoting TVET as innovation drivers, it tackles coordination failures between education and industry.

Seamless Link to ICTVET2026 Conference

Immediately following, Unisa hosted the International Conference on TVET (ICTVET2026) from March 24-27 under the theme “Innovative Pathways and Best Practices for the Promotion of TVET for Entrepreneurship and Youth Employment.” Partners included UNESCO-UNEVOC, DHET, SAPCO, and ATUPA. Keynotes by Deputy Minister Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube emphasized industry-aligned curricula and African skills hubs.

Broader Impacts for Africa and Global Collaboration

As Africa's demographic powerhouse—with 57% youth employment vs. 48% globally—the continent needs TVET to harness its youth dividend. Unisa's centre fosters Agenda 2063 goals, green transitions, and digital skills. MoUs like with University of Namibia expand veterinary training.

Social media buzz on X (formerly Twitter) reflected excitement, with posts on plaque handovers and global partnerships trending among educators.

Photo by Fotos on Unsplash

Stakeholder Perspectives and Future Outlook

ATUPA's Dr Jahou Samba Faal hailed it as unlocking youth potential. Industry views it as vital for employability in high-demand sectors. Challenges remain—funding, lecturer development—but solutions like structured placements and partnerships offer hope.

Looking ahead, the centre will drive research, policy influence, and inclusive growth, positioning South Africa as Africa's TVET leader. For educators and students, opportunities abound in Unisa's vocational offerings and global exchanges.