Question NW1733 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
25 July 2022 - NW1733
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
(1)Whether his department has been informed that graduates are not inspired to build careers in the water and sanitation sector; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether his department has put mechanisms and/or plans in place to attract students to the study of and interest in the specified sector; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department of Higher Education and Training is not aware of graduates within the higher education sector who are not inspired to build careers in the water and sanitation sector.
The Department’s role is to ensure that there is an enabling environment for institutions to provide the necessary training and skills required for the water management sector and ensure that students are supported with the necessary means, where appropriate, to pursue their careers.
There are several higher education institutions that offer disciplines in Water Resources Engineering and caters for the vocational pathway in terms of the Higher Certificate and Diploma qualifications, as well as the Bachelor of Science in Hydrology and Water Resources Management for an academic and research pathway (please see attached list).
The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) plays a key role in developing skills needed in the water and energy sector.