Skills Development

Skills development not tertiary education is the answer to our economic woes states
Gizelle McIntyre. She argues that a college degree does not indicate any
particular level of expertise where as skills development indicates actual skill and
therefore leads, more often than not, to employment.

Enrolling individuals in learnerships when they are already competent in most of the
outcomes of the qualification is a waste of time and resources; however there is room
for some RPL during learnerships. Suzanne Hattingh provides some guidelines on when
it is appropriate to do RPL in learnerships.

The new SETA Grant Regulations have unintended consequences to skills
development. The changes focus on qualifications offered by public institutions and
fail to recognise the individual training needs of a diverse national
organisation.

Are you responsible for compiling a Workplace Skills Plan or do you need assistance in understanding the link between organizational efficiency and proper skills requirements? Professor Henry Grimbeek talks about how to be more proactive and strategic with your WSP.

The proposals on the sub-framework have far-reaching implications for training and workplace competence. Suzanne Hattingh shares some insights on the sub-framework of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) that deals specifically with trades and occupations.

Job profiles guide employees in their roles, tell employers what to expect and assist HR in the recruiting process. Des Squire discusses the elements of a good job profile by using the Organising Framework for Occupations as a foundation.

The establishment of the SADC Regional Qualifications Framework has finally been approved by education and training authorities, bringing with it the promise of a more regulated and effective skills assessment system.

National Tooling Initiative Programme (NTIP), has introduced the TDM Powered Programme, which equips aspiring toolmakers with the skills to start their careers. The programme will address the technical skills shortage in the country and meet South Africa?s future tooling manufacturing needs.

Social transformer, Deacon Mathe has been appointed National Government Stakeholders Manager. He will be tasked with promoting the NTIP?s cause within the Government, the Department of Trade and Industry, and amongst others, the ruling party as a whole.

The National Skills Development Strategy is the document that guides Setas in their work to promote skills development and training in the country. As the third version of the NSDS comes into force, Des Squire reviews these important documents and comments on their likely impact on the training sector over the next five years.

Mfundiso Njeke is the new Chairperson of Saqa, the South African Qualifications Authority, and will head the organisation's governing body for the next six years. Minister of Higher Education Dr Blade Nzimande thanked Professor Shirley Walters, chairperson of the outgoing board, for her outstanding leadership during a difficult time of transition to new NQF legislation and a new departmental configuration.

After implementing a highly successful pre-Apprenticeship training programme, the National Tooling Initiative Programme (NTIP) is officially launching the pilot Tool, Die and Mould-Making Apprenticeship phase of the TDM-Powered Programme this month.

Des Squire looks at the changes we can expect from the introduction of the Occupational Qualifications Framework by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations.

The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations is planning to make use of Communities of Expert Practice, or CEPs, to develop qualifications and to perform certain quality assurance functions. Marietta van Rooyen looks at their role in more detail.

Seifsa has refurbished their FUNDI training centre which has seen the engineering workshops and classrooms completely overhauled. They are now equipped with the latest technology and focused learning materials. GijimaAst facilitates the selection and training of apprentices at the centre.

If I have registered an SDF and submitted a completed WSP and ATR on time, will I automatically receive a percentage of my skills levies back? There are two stages of the reclaim process:

What is the difference between Mandatory Grants and Discretionary grants?

The two reports are the Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) and the Annual Training Report. (ATR)

The refund of the skills levies is called a Mandatory grant, that is: if you comply with the conditions, then you qualify to receive the levy refund.

There are a variety of formats, some Seta reports are in Word documents, some in Excel, and some have on-line submission. Most of the Setas have now developed a single form for both reports.