Osborne Mkhize

Strategic Skills Planning and Stakeholder Engagement Leader with over 12 years' experience strengthening partnerships across government, industry, and regulatory bodies within South Africa's SETA landscape. Proven track record in leading sector wide research, policy advocacy, large scale stakeholder engagements, and governance oversight. Skilled in designing national conferences, managing complex committees, and driving evidence-based decision making to support workforce development and organisational strategy.

Recognised for enhancing compliance, modernising reporting systems, and building collaborative, high-impact relationships that advance sector growth.

Head of Research and Skills Planning at Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) (2024-03 – Present)

Lead stakeholder engagement and strategic initiatives to strengthen external relations across the insurance sector. Manage high-level, cross-functional projects ensuring alignment with corporate strategy, regulatory requirements, and audit readiness. Build and maintain partnerships with government, industry bodies, and training providers to advance sector skills priorities.

• Designed and project led a flagship industry conference (Insurance Skills Indaba) attracting over 2,500 attendees, elevating organisational visibility and positioning.
• Chaired funding allocation committees (Discretionary Grant Evaluation Committee), ensuring transparent, fair, and compliant resource distribution.
• Appointed as a member of the Bid Adjudication Committee.
• Appointed to represent management at Union Meetings.

Chambers Manager at Food and Beverages Sector Education and Training Authority (FoodBev SETA) (2021-09 – 2024-02)

Directed governance and stakeholder engagement for sectoral chambers, fostering effective collaboration between industry and government. Organised and facilitated chamber activities and decision-making forums, prepared executive reports, minutes, and compliance reports. Represented the organisation, aligning programmes with national skills development priorities.

• Reconstituted chamber governance structures, improving decision making effectiveness and role clarity.
• Implemented digital reporting tools that enhanced transparency, traceability, and audit preparedness.
• Launched an Occupational Framework Mapping Tool to align workforce planning with national standards.

Labour Market Information Specialist at Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) (2016-04 – 2021-08)

Managed stakeholder focused research projects and sector skills planning initiatives, delivering executive level reports for policy and strategy. Presented sector insights to leadership and industry partners, strengthening evidence-based decision making. Improved data accessibility and stakeholder reporting through streamlined research and publication processes.

• Achieved 100% compliance in regulatory submissions over multiple years.
• Developed sector intelligence tools that improved workforce planning and stakeholder engagement.

Labour Market Information Practitioner at Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) (2014-04 – 2016-03)

Master of Public and Development Management – University of the Witwatersrand

BA Honours in Political Science – University of Johannesburg

BA in Political Science & Applied Economics – University of the Witwatersrand

LLB – University of South Africa

MBA – Regent Business School