UNDP celebrates Energy Performance Certificate graduates at Nkangala TVET College

The organisation plans to place the graduates into internship programmes where they can start applying the skills they have learnt in the classroom.

July 8, 2025

Lindokuhle Ndhlovu 1 minute read

Graduates of the Energy Performance Certificate Practitioners Programme celebrated the successful completion of their training.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa recently celebrated the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of students from the Energy Efficiency Skills Programme at Nkangala TVET College.

Following two successful graduations at Gert Sibande and Ehlanzeni TVET College, the UNDP wrapped it up with a bang on June 25 at Nkangala, celebrating the progress made by the 25 young people and five lecturers who were being awarded with certifications in energy efficiency.

Phumla Hlathi, head of the inclusive growth portfolio at UNDP South Africa, said, the programme, implemented in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA), is aimed at equipping young people with the skills needed to become energy efficiency practitioners.

“The young people who have been trained in this college are now ready to go into industry and make a meaningful contribution to driving energy efficiency in South Africa,” she said.

The programme was facilitated by the Institute of Energy Professionals Africa, and according to Phumla, the lecturers who participated in the training are now equipped to continue training future students, and the college has also received the necessary accreditation.

“Going forward with the learners, we plan to place them into internship programmes where they can start applying in the place of work the skills they have learnt in the classroom,” Phumla said.

Robyn Vilakazi, executive for skills delivery at EWSETA, expressed excitement and pride in the work that the certified practitioners will be doing to drive energy efficiency in the country.