Against a backdrop of intensifying global competition, rapid technological advancement and mounting pressure to deliver a just energy transition, prominent role-players in South Africa’s mining sector gathered for focused deliberation at the recent 2026 Mining Skills Lekgotla, held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand.
Convened by the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA), the Lekgotla served as a high-level strategic forum aimed at sharpening alignment between skills development initiatives and the sector’s broader transformation agenda. Central to discussions was the need to ensure training systems, industry demand and public policy are aligned.
Outlining the outcomes of the Lekgotla, MQA CEO Dr Thabo Mashongoane said the central theme was driving measurable impact in the mining and minerals sector, as the authority marks 30 years of commitment to skills development. He said the focus going forward will be on clear and quantifiable outcomes rather than administrative compliance or activity-based reporting.
Mashongoane emphasised strengthened collaboration and sector alignment as a primary outcome. He said closer co-operation between industry, government, training institutions and other sector bodies is essential to meet both current and future skills needs. The Lekgotla resolved to deepen partnerships across employers, sector education & training authorities, technical and vocational education & training colleges, universities and industry associations to create a co-ordinated skills ecosystem that responds more effectively to change in the sector.
A further outcome was a renewed focus on workforce development and competitiveness. Mashongoane said programmes must contribute to improved productivity, enterprise growth and enhanced employability. While enrolments and certifications remain important indicators, the MQA intends to place greater emphasis on long-term impact, including sustainable employment, career mobility and meaningful economic participation.
He highlighted the importance of tracer studies and more advanced impact assessments to determine not only whether beneficiaries are employed but how they contribute to income growth, business development and broader economic performance. This approach will support a shift toward evidence-based planning and reduce reliance on assumptions about labour market demand.
The Lekgotla also resolved to strengthen data-driven skills planning. Mashongoane said the MQA will enhance its labour market intelligence capacity by integrating information from industry submissions, government departments, global sector trends and direct stakeholder engagements. Digitisation of monitoring and reporting systems will form part of this process to improve data quality, responsiveness and accountability.
In response to technological change and the energy transition, the MQA will develop targeted action plans for emerging occupations and future-focused skills. Mashongoane said this includes creating clear transition pathways for workers affected by restructuring and collaborating with employers to mitigate the impact of retrenchments through reskilling and redeployment initiatives.
He stressed that accelerating transformation and building future-ready capabilities is no longer optional but essential to maintaining the sector’s competitiveness in a rapidly changing global environment.
Inclusion and equity were reaffirmed as cross-cutting priorities. The Lekgotla emphasised broader participation across gender, disability and demographic groups to ensure opportunities in the sector reflect South Africa’s diversity.
Mashongoane noted that increased inclusion in skills programmes must translate into meaningful access to career progression and enterprise development, particularly for historically disadvantaged communities and young entrants to the sector. Increased completion rates, a stronger artisan pipeline and improved alignment between training provision and sector demand were identified as key performance indicators.
The CEO stated that the MQA will engage more proactively with regional partners in Africa and strengthen collaboration at the municipal level, particularly in relation to social and labour plans and local economic development.
He stressed that the sector must take collective responsibility for shaping its skills architecture rather than waiting for policy directives. “The indicator of success for our interventions will be increased employability, reduced risk of displacement due to technological change, enhanced productivity and improved global competitiveness. We must ensure our programmes contribute to resilient local economies and long-term sector sustainability.”