The commitment and hard work of teachers and school governing bodies is key to making some schools more successful than others, despite a backlog of R140 billion of schools that still need to be built, says Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga. ...more

"With the new NQF and Skills Acts, there has been a surge of interest in establishing new professional bodies". Why? In terms of the new legislation the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) will recognise professional bodies for the development and registration of occupational qualifications. How has the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP), the professional body for HR responded to this challenge? ...more

Pravin Gordhan's stated intention to balance the National Treasury's books by having SARS focus ever more vigilantly on tax law compliance, means that employers can’t afford to take any chances. ...more

Whether its your first time at writing an exam or the first time after a long gap, preparing for an examination is vital to achieving the results you desire. Toni Valis, ACCA's Head of Education in South Africa, shares some great advice on planning for exam success. ...more

Skills Portal recently spoke to Maureen Collins, communications strategist and 'people expert' on the basics of effective communication. As facilitator for Alusani Skills & Training Network, Maureen presents a fresh outlook on communication strategies for women in the workplace. ...more

Adult basic education and training or ABET has many challenges. Facilitators often have to encourage ABET learners and make them aware of the benefits of this form of learning. In this feature, ABET professionals, offer some good advice on motivating adult learners. ...more

The new Companies Act requires all companies, whether public or private, to establish a “Social and Ethics Committee”. In the light of King III this can have dramatic implications for companies and Good Corporate governance, explains Des Squire. ...more

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will today be appointed as the new chancellor of Limpopo's University of Venda (Univen). Motlanthe succeeds businessman Cyril Ramaphosa, who served two terms as the university's chancellor. ...more

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has guaranteed that there will be no electricity blackouts during the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Motlanthe said Eskom had also assured government and Fifa that there would be no power interruptions. ...more

After unfair dismissal and unfair labour practices the third category of unfair conduct by an employer is unfair discrimination. Section 6 of the Employment Equity Act (EEA) prohibits unfair discrimination against an employee on arbitrary grounds including race, age, disability, sex and many others. ...more

What do you think of the situation where the hospitality industry (having a good portion of their business over weekends) needs to pay overtime to staff that work on weekends. I would suggest that the real requirement should be limiting the hours per week that can be worked before overtime is paid. What’s your take on this??
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Market research and analysis suggests a crucial shortage of high-level practitioners working in the field of skills development and ETD practices. Continuous professional development (CPD) for high-level adult learning practitioners who themselves tend to be isolated from others working in the same field of practice, is starting address the need for stronger leadership in training and development across South Africa.
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Cabinet has established an Inter-Ministerial Committee to finalise the Draft National Broadband Policy for South Africa, says government spokesperson Themba Maseko. Briefing the media following a Cabinet meeting, Maseko said Cabinet was of the view that the policy needs to be inclusive. ...more

A public-private partnership has been launched to help reduce South Africa's service delivery backlog by placing skilled graduates and high-level training initiatives directly into local government. ...more

Cabinet has not considered audits of politicians' lifestyles because there are anti-corruption measures already in place, says Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. He said the SA Revenue Service, Public Protector and other agencies already investigated people apparently living beyond their means. ...more

The Association for the Advancement of Black Chartered Accountants (ABASA) in partnership with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) South Africa recently hosted its first ever ABASA Women’s luncheon at the Saxon Boutique Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg. ...more

The credit crunch has put a severe strain on many consumers as they find themselves battling to pay back their debts at higher interest rates. But there are ways to protect your rights should you run into financial trouble. ...more

Our training material is based on international eventing standards and will prepare you with up to date information. This information will prepare you to sit an international events management qualification. More information on these options will be given at the workshop. ...more

The Norovirus stomach bug (also know as gastroenteritis) causes nausea and diarrhoea and is very easily spread from person to person. Norovirus is far and away the number one source of foodborne outbreaks across the country. New weapons to prevent Norovirus outbreaks are available but what about H1N1 and other viral and bacterial pathogens ...more