By Mudanalwo Ravele

On 25 July 2025, the National Skills Fund (NSF) attended the official opening of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Centre Hub at NCR TVET College in Upington, Northern Cape. The NSF participated as one of the college’s key stakeholders, underscoring its role in advancing future-focused skills development.

In his opening remarks, NCR TVET College Principal, Mr Percy Sago, highlighted the critical need for such a hub in today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape. He noted that the centre will serve as a catalyst for job creation in the region, with projections that local youth will begin to benefit within two years. Importantly, the facility will not only serve students but will also be open to the broader Upington community.

Sago emphasised that the centre represents a shift in how education must adapt to technology-driven change. “In five years’ time, there won’t be a need for traditional computer training, we must evolve with the times,” he said. He further stressed the importance of ensuring that rural colleges are not left behind, calling for stronger support from the Department of Higher Education and Training and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

The 4IR Centre Hub will give students hands-on experience in cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and 3D printing. Lecturers will also undergo intensive upskilling to ensure they can train learners effectively in these emerging fields. “We have moved through the first, second, and third industrial revolutions. We are now firmly in the fourth and heading towards the fifth. If we do not keep up, we risk losing jobs to technological progress,” Sago warned.

The initiative was made possible through funding from the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA). Speaking at the launch, ETDP SETA CEO, Sesi Nxesi, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to empowering future generations through strategic investments. “We must catch up with developments. The ETDP SETA has funded the 4IR Centre Hub as part of a broader programme across 20 TVET colleges and several technical high schools. By equipping young people with rare, future-ready skills, we aim to end poverty, unemployment, and systemic inefficiencies,” Nxesi said. The establishment of the 4IR Centre Hub in Upington represents a transformative opportunity for the Northern Cape. By bridging rural communities with the forefront of technological innovation, it ensures that local youth and educators alike are not left behind in the transition to a digital and industrial future