South Africa and Germany signed an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation (STC) in 1996. STC between the two countries has developed very successfully on this basis. The STC agreement provides for the establishment of a Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee which meets once every other year and defines the framework for bilateral cooperation. Among other aspects, the German-South African Binational Commission addresses joint research projects, the use of scientific and technological facilities, information exchange, joint events as well as the exchange and posting of experts.

Project proposals submitted in the context of the concurrently published call for proposals to fund STC with South Africa (2020 South African/German Collaborative Research Programme, SAG-CORE; overall theme: Global Change: Towards Sustainable Societal Transitions and Transformations – post-COVID-19) are currently being reviewed. Funding is currently still provided for twelve projects from a joint STC call for proposals focussing on the topics of bioeconomy and resource management. The BMBF also provides funding for research projects involving multiple South African researchers and institutions, mainly in the fields of environment, climate change, sustainability and health. An outstanding event celebrated in the context of South African-German cooperation was the joint Science Year 2012/2013.

In addition to research, German-South African cooperation in vocational education and training (VET) has been governed by an agreement between the BMBF and the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) since 2013. This agreement has already been extended twice, first in November 2016 and most recently in February 2019, for a further three years. Particular focus is placed on (further) qualifying teaching staff, providing advice on the development of the South African Institute for Vocational and Continuing Education and Training (SAIVCET), increasing the involvement of business and social partners and building VET research capacities. The BMBF and other Federal Ministries participate with relevant activities in a coordinated approach.

Vocational education and training: Enhancing cooperation with South Africa

The German Federal Government invests the expertise and competences of several Federal Ministries in its cooperation in vocational education and training (VET) with South Africa. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Federal Foreign Office’s mission in South Africa, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) all work together in a coordinated approach with VET partners in South Africa. This demonstrates that South Africa is a priority country for Germany in the context of international cooperation in VET.

Demand for well-trained workers

Vocational training of skilled labour is a global task for the future. Work processes in production, maintenance and service – all becoming increasingly connected, globalized and digitalized – require well-trained workers. German companies are observing this development at their foreign branches, too. International cooperation in VET therefore directly serves Germany's economic interests.

VET has become a globally recognized key factor for international and national development. In its international VET cooperation activities, the BMBF strives to ensure equal access to initial and continuing VET and to promote inclusive, high-quality and employment-led initial and continuing training. The aim is to provide lasting support that also meets the needs of South Africa in incorporating elements of practice-oriented or dual VET into the national system in an effective manner. The five core elements of VET in Germany serve as a guideline in this context: cooperation between the state, business community and social partners; on-the-job learning; acceptance of standards; qualified VET staff and institutionalized research and guidance. Enhancing dual elements and structures can improve both the quality of VET and the South African business community’s participation in it. As a result, it secures skilled labour and promotes employment.

Cooperation among equals for more practical and job market orientation

The BMBF brings expertise in the field of dual education and training and related topics such as governance of the system with the participation of the economic and social partners, VET personnel, standardization and equivalence of educational qualifications, career orientation or transitions to work as well as experience with current developments such as the digital transformation. It thus makes an important contribution to the systemic development of South Africa's VET system over the medium to long term, allowing it to become more geared to practice and the labour market, and supports South Africa in implementing this system. Good VET – tailored to the needs of the labour market – also provides a foundation on which the younger generation can build their future. Strong VET thus also contributes to social peace and political stability, to the employability of individuals and to the competitiveness of national economies.

The BMBF has maintained close cooperation ties in VET with South Africa since 2013. A particular focus of cooperation is on providing guidance on the (further) qualification of teaching staff and on the development of the South African Institute for Vocational and Continuing Education and Training (SAIVCET), and on increasing the involvement of business and social partners and building VET research capacities. Targeted pilot projects aimed at implementing in-company training courses or at training in-company trainers provide the practical impetus for reform and innovation. Cooperation strives to provide the best possible support to the South African Government in enhancing and developing existing state institutions, programmes and initiatives in VET. Support comes among others in the form of continuous guidance and exchange on specialized topics. Furthermore, the iMOVE initiative (iMOVE: Training – Made in Germany) of the BMBF supports German VET service providers seeking to enter the South African market. The BMBF-funded VETWorldwide (“AusbildungWeltweit”), a mobility programme of the National Agency Education for Europe at the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (NA at BIBB), provides additional support to German trainees who wish to gain experience in South Africa during their training.