Government has taken a major step towards preparing South Africans for the future of work with the launch of a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) lab and a Centre of Specialisation in Mpumalanga. The initiative aims to strengthen artisan training and equip young people with skills needed in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Speaking at the launch of the Gert Sibande TVET College 4IR Lab and Centre of Specialisation Millwright Workshop, Deputy President Paul Mashatile highlighted the importance of aligning education with industry needs.
“These centres connect education with industry, empower young people with forward-looking skills, and position Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a driver of economic growth and social transformation,” he said.
The new 4IR lab is expected to play a key role in preparing students for careers influenced by emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and digital innovation.
“The work beginning here will ripple outward, motivating communities, empowering youth, and strengthening South Africa’s voice in the global dialogue on technology and human progress. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping cognition, operations, and problem-solving at a pivotal moment in history,” Mashatile said.
According to the Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum, the global workforce is undergoing significant changes. By 2030, tasks are expected to be almost equally divided between humans and machines. While AI could displace 92 million jobs, it is also projected to create 170 million new roles, resulting in a net gain of 78 million jobs worldwide.
Mashatile emphasised the need for higher education institutions and training providers to prepare individuals for an AI-driven economy, while also supporting those affected by technological changes.
“Higher education institutions must partner in preparing people for jobs in the AI-driven economy. Those displaced must have pathways to retraining and strengthening their resilience.
“AI must also serve as a transformative force in rural industrialisation, evolving traditional economies into modern, diversified hubs.
“Integrating AI into agriculture, manufacturing, and services can enhance productivity, elevate product value, and expand market access. This is how we make the digital future equitable, inclusive and considerate,” he said.
The Deputy President said the establishment of the 4IR Digital Innovation Lab and Centre of Specialisation demonstrates government’s commitment to using AI as a tool for inclusive growth.
“AI is not here to reduce human dignity, but to expand human potential. It is a partner in progress, a catalyst for creativity, and a bridge to new horizons. The question is not whether AI will transform society, but how and who will benefit.
“AI must be seen as a driver of economic development, enhancing productivity, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities. This laboratory, therefore, matters because it allows us to shape outcomes rather than react to them,” the Deputy President added.
The initiative is also expected to transform the institution into a hub for inclusive innovation, where research focuses on real societal challenges and the future of work is shaped around people.
Mashatile cautioned that while AI offers many opportunities, it also presents risks if not managed carefully, particularly in a country facing high levels of unemployment, inequality and poverty.
“For South Africa, unemployment, inequality, and poverty, compounded by the digital divide, risk deepening exclusion. New jobs will arise in skilled sectors, leaving unskilled workers vulnerable to automation. Access to digital tools, affordable internet, and advanced skills remains inconsistent, limiting adaptation.
“Technology is a valuable tool, but it cannot lead development alone. Genuine advancement requires integration with human agency, cultural context, and moral leadership. Individuals, policies, and leaders are essential.
“We cannot afford to repeat those mistakes. This transformation must be guided by wisdom, compassion, and responsibility, ensuring technology becomes a bridge to inclusion, not a barrier to dignity,” Mashatile said.
He added that the success of AI in South Africa will depend on building a workforce with strong digital and technical skills, including data literacy, cloud computing and ethical AI governance.
“South Africa’s successful adoption of AI will depend less on algorithms than on building a workforce skilled in data literacy, cloud computing, ethical governance, and applied AI integration. We must embed 4IR technologies into artisan training to ensure graduates are industry-ready.
“Our Government is developing a comprehensive response through the Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy, released for public comment in April 2026. Once approved, it will establish national priorities, norms, and sector-specific strategies across manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, transport, and trade,” the Deputy President said.
The draft policy includes plans to expand digital infrastructure, build capacity, and integrate AI across all levels of education. It also proposes the development of AI hubs and supercomputing facilities to support startups and small businesses, helping to drive innovation and economic growth across South Africa.
Additional reporting from SANews.gov.za
