There is a place for FET Colleges and there is a need for our youth to
consider attending FET Colleges. Further Education and Training Colleges or FET
Colleges are different to universities in that they offer many of the essential
courses to ensure the achievement of the skills and training needed that are
essential to the South African Economy.
South Africa is in need of educated, qualified and experienced people with
the right skills to assist in growing the economy of SA.
Currently there are in excess of 500000 positions vacant in South Africa but
surprisingly, according to solidarity, there are insufficient trained and qualified
people to fill these vacancies.
Consider these facts
South Africa has 1 engineer for every 3200 people compared to 1 for every
130 in china- 250 in Europe and 450 in Australia.
The government?s list of scarce and critical skills shows that there is a
shortage of 400000 teachers in all subjects which includes teachers at FET
Colleges.
In 2008 there was a shortage of 22000 accounting specialists - 5300 of
whom should be chartered accountants. There are 70000 positions available in
Information Technology but only 17000 learners have qualified over the last 10
years.
There is a need for 30000 registered nurses and 10000 pharmacy
assistants.
So why are more of our learners not applying for positions at FET Colleges? Is it
a lack of information or is there a stigma attached to them? Only the youth can
comment on this.
Further education and training takes place at any time from grades 10 to 12.
At this level there is a need for career counselling and orientation or our youth
should be encouraged to approach FET Colleges for more information.
At this level it is quite common for learners to want to study for a diploma or
certificate course. Diplomas and Certificates should not as far as I am concerned
be offered by Universities or studied by Higher Education Candidates.
The Department of Education is offering bursaries for FET College education
and training.
In addition the Career Advice Services managed by SAQA is offering
career advice through its helpline. Call 0860111673 or you can e-mail
[email protected]. You can
also send and SMS to 072 204 5056 and an
advisor will call you back
Des Squire (Managing Member)
AMSI and ASSOCIATES cc
[email protected]
