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Deputy Minister Cassim urges skills training for underserved communities

Published

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Yusuf Cassim said training must reach rural areas through Community Education and Training colleges and Community Learning Centres. He also called for skills programmes that respond to digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

Cassim spoke on Thursday in Cape Town. He gave the keynote address at a stakeholder engagement session of the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) Accounting Authority.

Cassim said community-based training can connect learners to economic opportunities. He named tourism, hospitality, cultural enterprises and small businesses, particularly in rural areas.

He said: "Learners do not all have the same access to transport, technology, infrastructure, or proximity to employers." Cassim also said sector skills planning must be ongoing, based on evidence and regular talks with industry.

Key facts

Who
Yusuf Cassim (Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister); Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training… (host of the Accounting Authority stakeholder engagement session (CATHSSETA))
What
Speaking at a CATHSSETA Accounting Authority stakeholder engagement session in Cape Town, Deputy Minister Yusuf Cassim urged skills training that reaches rural and underserved communities, and called for training that responds to digitalisation and artificial intelligence.
When
22 October 2026
Where
Cape Town
Status
Reported

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