Here - ETDP Seta

Provincial Presence and Performance (continued)
were recruited and selected by the DBE in the following rural
municipalities; Nyandeni, Intsika Yethu, Matatiele, Emalahleni, Inxuba
Yethemba, Nkonkobe, Camdeboo and Lukanji. In some districts
classes were held after school hours and/or during weekends in
order to avoid disrupting teaching and learning.
One of the challenges experienced during implementation was
the 4% target for disabled learners. The programme failed to
achieve this target but did very well in addressing the needs of
100 % black and over 60% women learners.
ABET Practitioner Learnership
Given the levels of illiteracy and underdevelopment in many
areas of the Eastern Cape, one of the key strategic interventions
identified by the Eastern Cape government was the improvement
of ABET provisioning in the province. In responding to this
challenge, the ETDP SETA implemented the ABET practitioner
learnership at NQF Level 4. This learnership is intended to equip
the practitioner to facilitate learning at ABET Levels 1 – 4 within
a specific range of fundamental, core and elective learning areas
in order to improve literacy, numeracy and life skills of individual
participants. The target for the Eastern Cape was 48 unemployed
learners.
In partnership with the DBE, all 48 learners were allocated to the
DBE, based on its commitment to employ the entire contingent
on completion of the programme as was the case in the previous
reporting period. The learners were recruited and selected by the
DBE in line with the ETDP SETA requirements. The DBE ABET
centres across the province were the host employers for these
learners. Whilst the learners were spread across the province, the
DBE was responsible for the transport and accommodation of
learners during contact sessions.
Bursaries
Bursaries were offered in the Eastern Cape in response to the
province’s need to develop human resources and raise the skills
levels of educators in order to improve the quality of teaching, as
articulated in its strategic framework for growth and development.
The Eastern Cape was allocated 190 as a target, with the split
being 25 employed and 165 unemployed learners.
The allocation for employed learners was awarded mainly to the
DBE in line with a priority to implement the National Strategy
for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (NSMSTE)
and provide appropriate support in the improvement of teacher
performance. About 22 technology teachers were selected from
the rural Idutywa district as per the DBE’s proposal. The other
employed learners were assisted to pursue studies in Bachelor
of Education, Masters in Economics and Masters in Public
Administration. Of the 165 targeted unemployed learners, 156
learners were supported and the remainder was allocated to
other constituencies for support in specifically identified areas. The
156 learners came mainly from the rural schools that participated
in the Imbizo which was held in KuTsolo. Most of the learners
were enrolled in the programmes regarded as scarce and critical.
Internships
The ETDP SETA Internship Programme is a programme that
provides workplace experience for unemployed graduates. The
programme is directed at young unemployed people who have
completed their studies and find it difficult to find employment
due to a lack of work experience. The Eastern Cape had a target
of 23 learners.
To ensure that at least 50% of the learners entered into this
programme were absorbed after they had completed the one
year work experience, priority for the allocation of learners to
employers was given to those host employers who demonstrated
commitment to employing the learners. Priority was also given
to small levy-paying organisations as a way of encouraging them
to participate in skills development. Hence Nelson Mandela
Metropolitan University (NMMU) and some independent and
SGB schools were awarded Internship Programmes. NMMU for
instance was awarded six learners of which five have already
found permanent employment.
Workplace Experience
The objective of the Workplace Experience (WPE) programme
is to support FET college students who require workplace
experiential learning in order to obtain a full qualification. Some of
the programmes offered by FET colleges require up to18 months
workplace learning in order for learners to successfully complete
their qualifications. The Eastern Cape was allocated a target of 60
learners.
The target was distributed mainly among seven FET colleges in
the province and assisted mainly the students of these colleges
who needed the support. Due to budgetary constraints, the ETDP
SETA was able to assist these learners only for a period of six
months. The FETs took it upon themselves to continue support
for these learners until further support is found. About 48 learners
were placed after the ETDP SETA intervention.
Skills Programmes
The skills programmes provided an opportunity for both
employed and unemployed learners to participate in skills
development, thus enhancing their skills levels to increase their
performance or to acquire the skills required for employment. The
target for the Eastern Cape was 56 employed and 56 unemployed
workers.
About 51 school principals received training in finance for nonfinancial
managers from the following DBE districts; Butterworth,
East London, Graaff Reinet, Grahamstown, Fort Beaufort, King
Williams Town, Mbizana, Maluti, Mt Fletcher, Port Elizabeth and
Uitenhage. The programme was offered by NMMU and was
18 ETDP•SETA Annual Report 2010/11