Sowing seeds of success: The inspiring journey of the Green Hydrogen internship programme in South Africa for inclusive development

Internship programmes continue to serve as an important bridge between academic learning and real-world employment, and a pathway for professional development. Since December 2022, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH have been implementing a two-year internship for 10 young unemployed female graduates to facilitate their entry into the green hydrogen sector in South Africa. This programme contributes towards addressing the South African triple challenge of inequality, poverty and unemployment while enhancing future workers' skills and capacities in this rapidly growing sector.

Understanding synergies for the success of professional development has aided green hydrogen companies and institutions in South Africa to partner with this programme as host institutions for ten interns to improve their competencies through mentorship and exposure to practical work experiences. These partnerships afford interns invaluable opportunities to develop crucial skills needed for this sector. In addition to their daily duties within their respective host institutions, the interns have been exposed to various sector events and activities over the past year, such as trainings, workshops, networking events, seminars, and a study tour. A major highlight is the October 2023 study tour that was linked to the South Africa Green Hydrogen Summit (SAGHS), which gave the interns a first-hand look at first hand exposure to green hydrogen production sites helping to extend their learning beyond the walls of their host institutions.

Participating at the SAGHS allowed for the interns to interact with both national and international experts and exposed them to a range of perspectives on green hydrogen. This experience has given them more self-assurance when it comes to professional networking, and as such, their main takeaway has been to reflect on the steps they could take to empower the next generation of skilled, empowered, and purpose-driven women. The significant impact that stands as an inspiring tale of this internship programme is that two of the ten interns have gone on to take up permanent employment with major companies in South Africa, by leveraging the experience they gained during their internship tenure. One of the greatest incentives mentioned is the ability to be allowed to stretch their wings and immerse themselves in real work environments which only leaves them inspired and empowered.

As we look into the future, the ability of interns to evolve and adjust to new environments will remain crucial to the success and advancement of internship programmes. While interns continue to embrace this opportunity for professional development within their respective host institutions, we extend gratitude to their mentors for affording them a platform to grow and help them discover their passion and confidence to pursue their careers in this emerging sector which will ensure a bright future for the workforce of tomorrow. GIZ will continue to support the internship initiative, helping to enable a just and equitable transition to a cleaner energy future in South Africa.

Promoting the development of a green hydrogen sector in South Africa (H2.SA)