Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan has announced that the National Treasury’s R9 billion Jobs Fund, which aims to create 150 000 jobs over three years, is now accepting applications from companies and non-governmental organisations with innovative job creation projects. He told a media briefing before his Budget Vote in Parliament that the aim was to give out R2 billion in grants to the private sector this financial year.

The Provincial Skills Development Forum (PSDF) initiated by the Western Cape's local government will address unemployment and the skills shortage crisis by uniting key players in government and industry to 'leverage funding and services for targeted and relevant skills interventions' announced Premier Helen Zille.

The 2011 Work In Life Survey revealed that the number of job seekers continue to grow while the unemployed population become more despondent about their career prospects and the job seeking process. Government has urged South Africans to assist in creating job opportunities for all.

The demand for highly skilled senior executives has increased but despite the short supply employers are loath to make hasty decisions as they cautiously search for a leader who 'fits' the culture, values and style of the organisation.

This week Ivan Israelstam asks: What can be worse for an employer than being taken to the CCMA? Perhaps it is finding that too many CCMA commissioners are incompetent and that, at the same time, you have a poor understanding of the law that the CCMA applies. This is a double peril because, if the employee has a competent legal representative he/she will be able to tie both you and the commissioner in knots merely due to your ignorance and incompetence.

Progressive remedial action rather than 'discipline' is required in the workplace and employers should aim to implement corrrective procedures that include counselling or verbal warnings where possible says Des Squire.

When three delegates entered an empty training room they were dismayed to find the workshop that had been booked and paid for, was a hoax. How do you avoid bogus training providers? Sandra Inman from CBM Training offers a few pointers.

Despite recent amendments to the Immigration Act which have impeded the ability of foreigners to find work in SA, labour migration is being seen as a means of relieving the global skills and talent shortage. But is this the answer to economic growth?

The University of Stellenbosch Business School’s (USB) African Centre for Dispute Settlement (ACDS) has become the first centre in Africa to receive an international accreditation which allows the centre to qualify advanced South African mediators.

If there is one area in which training providers sometimes cheat their clients and learners (not necessarily the same) then it is in time spent on learning and assessment.

How do you sell training in industries that think it is not crucial? The reason behind my question is that there is a perception that training is not so crucial, especially in the IT industry.

iLearn is an online training course that provides a cost-effective and innovative training experience allowing participants to interact, share and communicate with other students, making learning more memorable and rewarding.

Are you making the best choices for your business? 'Highly effective and successful organizations exist as a consequence of outstanding strategic, tactical and operational decisions.' these are known as thrive decisions and direct the organisation toward its objectives.

Following a fatal shooting of three poachers inside the Kruger National Park, on the Mozambique border, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu has given notice that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will protect South African assets and if fired upon, will return fire. The SANDF are deployed to protect the South African land borders.

Cosatu has been following events at the UN high level meeting on HIV/Aids, being attended by Deputy President Motlanthe. Cosatu's strongly held position is that HIV is a social issue that needs an integrated approach, in which partnerships are essential, and human rights are fundamental. The Policy Coordinator for Occupational Health, Safety, Environment, and HIV and Aids lays out Cosatu's view that any response to HIV/Aids will not be effective unless it also combats discrimination.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has announced that President Jacob Zuma will visit the Eastern Cape in the week starting 6 June 2011 to assess the general state of education in the province, which has been facing a number of challenges.

Government has noted and will study the Competition Tribunal's decision allowing US retail giant Walmart to merge with Massmart.This comes after shareholders voted to accept the US Company's bid to acquire 51 percent of the South African retailer in a deal worth about R16.5 billion.

There is a perception that training is not a vital element of business success, especially in certain industries. The question 'How do you sell training in industries that think it is not crucial?' recently posed on our sister site the Skills Universe, revealed some surprising truths about the training market.

American television host, actress, producer and philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey, will visit the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein campus at the end of June. UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader confirmed that the richest African American of the 20th century will be visiting the Bloemfontein campus, but declined to give more details about the visit.