This opinion piece, written by Gugu Lourie, founder and editor of TechFinancials. The article appeared in the Sunday Times-Business Times on 16th February 2025. Take a look at the original story here - Article link.
The digital economy is often seen as a death knell for traditional careers, but I'm here to tell you that the digital world cannot function without the artisans who aren't just surviving. My brother Oubaas, a boilermaker who has worked at Sasol in Secunda and at Eskom's Medupi and Kusile power stations, is living proof.
While the world obsesses over coding renewable energy, boot camps, and Al, the demand for skilled artisans like him is skyrocketing. The digital economy isn't replacing artisans; it's creating more space for them.
Science, technology, & innovation minister Blade Nzimande once said: "With the rise of digital transformation and Al causing a disruption in industries, many jobs may no longer exist in the near future." But he also made a crucial point: "There will always be jobs for artisans due to the technical skill set required to fix machines if they break down, for example." He was right. The digital economy may automate many tasks but doesn't replace the hands-on expertise and welders and adaptability of skilled artisans.
Let's face it: South Africa's education system is failing many young people. An 87.3% national matric pass rate in 2024 sounds impressive, but what happens next? Thousands of pupils are sitting at home, rejected by universities.
Meanwhile, artisans such as Oubaas are building successful careers, often earning more than graduates with degrees. In towns such as my hometown of Bethal and the surrounding areas of Secunda and Emalahleni in Mpumalanga, artisans are the backbone of local economies, powering industries and sustaining communities.
So, what exactly is an artisan? An artisan is a skilled worker who specialises in a trade requiring on-the-job training and formal vocational education, not a university degree. Think boilermakers, plumbers, welders, and car mechanics. These roles are essential, and it will be a long time before robots can take them over.
As Dylan Bosman, a director at BluLever Education, puts it, "While these jobs will evolve, they won't disappear, because skilled trades require a combination of hands-on expertise and adaptability that machines still struggle to replicate in the physical world."
The digital economy isn't a threat to artisans. It’s an opportunity. Every data centre, cable, solar panel, and smart home system relies on skilled artisans to install, and repair. Bosman nails it when he says, "The digital world cannot function without the physical work of artisans.”
Take Suiso, a South African company investing R31.5bn in a coal-to-fertiliser facility at Kriel, or Seriti Green's R25bn renewable energy farm near Bethal. These projects aren't looking to employ people with bachelor's degrees; they mostly need artisans.
But here's the catch: South Africa needs 30,000 newly qualified artisans annually to meet its 2030 development goals.
Right now, we're not producing enough. Traditional universities can't bridge this gap, but such institutions as the Colliery Training College (CTC), Uxi Artisan Development, and BluLever Education are stepping up. CTC in Emalahleni, established in 1965, offers cutting-edge artisan training programs, while Uxi has 15 campuses across the country, including the renowned François Ferreira Academy for Chefs in George.
BluLever Education, a Johannesburg start-up, is preparing artisans for the fourth industrial revolution with innovative and demand-led training. Elsie Harmse, CEO of Uxi, sums it up perfectly: "The growing demand for skilled artisans has created a pressing need for innovative training solutions. As private institutions, we are stepping up to the challenge, offering a lifeline to thousands of young South Africans eager to acquire in-demand skills." These institutions provide grade 12 graduates with a practical path to success, offering internationally recognised certificates and access to high-demand jobs in construction, manufacturing, renewable energy, and much more.
While software jobs are over-saturated, skilled artisans are in constant demand across the globe. The plain truth is that artisan careers are even more viable than ever.
As Bosman says, "South Africa alone has a national target of training 30,000 artisans annually, but we are only producing 13,000, leaving a critical skills gap. Globally, artisan roles remain among the hardest to fill." This isn't just about job security; it's about opportunity. Artisans can build stable, high-paying careers and even start their own businesses. I've seen this firsthand with Oubaas. He didn't need a degree to build a successful career as a boilermaker.
Written by: Gugu Lourie, founder and editor of TechFinancials.
Press Contact Details
For media inquiries, interview requests, or further information, please contact:
DYLAN BOSMAN - Director of Marketing, BluLever Education
Email - dylan.bosman@blulever.com
Phone - +27 (0)61 669 5100
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanbosman/
For custom media requests or collaboration opportunities please email our press contact.
Commentaires