MICT SETA and mLab Renew Partnership to Advance 4IR Digital Skills Training
The partnership, which was first established in 2022, has played a key role in delivering Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)-aligned training to young people in township and rural communities.
The Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) has renewed its strategic partnership with the Mobile Applications Laboratory NPC (mLab) through the re-signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The partnership, which was first established in 2022, has played a key role in delivering Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)-aligned training to young people in township and rural communities. Through this collaboration, participants have been equipped with critical digital skills needed to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s technology-driven economy.
At the centre of the initiative is the “Introduction to the Internet of Things (IoT)” training programme, implemented by MICT SETA’s 4IR Division and facilitated by mLab. The programme is designed to empower youth with practical, in-demand technology skills while fostering innovation that responds to real-world community needs.
So far, four training cohorts have been successfully delivered — three in the Northern Cape and one in Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal. Many graduates have gone on to secure employment, establish small businesses, or develop impactful technology solutions within their communities.
The renewal of the MOU was described as a continuation of joint efforts to ensure that skills development initiatives reach underserved areas. The agreement was also highlighted as a demonstration of the shared vision of MICT SETA and mLab to bridge the digital divide, expand access to innovation, and cultivate a workforce ready for the future.
