Opportunity Issue 107

ELANGENI TVET COLLEGE

ELANGENI TVET COLLEGE Skills development for employment and growth South Africa must prioritise relevant skills development, says Elangeni TVET College Rector, TJ Kula, if it is to achieve significant economic growth. Biography TJ Kula is a qualified educational specialist, armed with a wealth of professional experience and a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from MANCOSA. TJ Kula's educational philosophy centres around the notion that creating an optimal learning environment, effective leadership and a dedicated educational team are essential factors in facilitating learning for all individuals. Her teaching career began in 1994 and in 2016, she joined the Department of Higher Education and Training as Rector of Elangeni TVET College, where she remains at present. TJ Kula, Rector of Elangeni TVET College As the Decade of the Artisan draws to a close, please reflect on whether it was successful. In general, this campaign has raised youth awareness of artisanship opportunities, resulting in more young people enrolling. The country is creating an average of 20 000 qualified artisans per year, which is a great step towards meeting the National Development Plan's goal of 30 000 artisans per year. At Elangeni TVET College, we are proud to have over 50 skilled artisans who are currently undergoing training. We are making ongoing efforts to increase the participation of young individuals and the College obtained trade test centre accreditation for two trades, namely Welding and Electrical. This initiative will greatly contribute to the College's efforts in cultivating a larger pool of skilled artisans. Why was it so important to focus on artisanship? Prioritising the development of artisans is crucial, as they play a vital role in fostering future growth. In addition, the artisan sector contributes to the employment market. Artisan training also contributes to enhancing the employability of young individuals, facilitates job mobility and enhances the availability of skills for the global job market. Has progress been made in dispelling the myth that a university degree is somehow more worthwhile than a college diploma? There is a prevalent misconception that technical and vocational colleges primarily cater to underachieving students. However, depending on one's career path, a university degree may not always be the most suitable option. In my experience, TVET colleges provide numerous valuable opportunities. ETVET offers technical and vocational training to students who want to enhance their skills in high-demand areas. This is achieved through various programmes such as NCV, Business & Engineering Studies, as well as occupational and skills programmes. The practical and theoretical knowledge acquired from obtaining a qualification at Elangeni TVET College equips graduates with the necessary skills to actively engage in the labour market. Does the college have its own focussed programmes, that are in line with the “Decade of the Artisan”? Yes, Elangeni TVET College provides several vocational and skills programmes to build students' skills and knowledge and boost artisan development. Through a variety of skills programmes, learnerships, apprenticeships and ministerial-approved programmes, ETVET provides a broad-based education aimed at developing the rural and township economies and certifying students who have gone on to secure employment in a variety of industry sectors. Is the South African “skills development” sector on the right path? In order for South Africa to achieve significant economic growth, it is crucial to prioritise better access to relevant skills development. This can be accomplished by implementing educational and training opportunities offered by TVET Colleges. By offering such access, TVETs can effectively address inequalities and unemployment while also fostering employability and active participation in the country's economy. Skills development is the primary goal of education and training and it serves as a catalyst for economic growth. 28 | www.opportunityonline.co.za

ELANGENI TVET COLLEGE What are areas that can be improved upon? The key to unlocking a better life for everyone lies in fundamental learning and skills development. One area that requires improvement at TVET Colleges is the workshops. If these workshops are aligned with the specific industry needs, students will have the opportunity to acquire accreditations as artisans, apprentices and undergo trade tests. As a result, this will lead to an enhancement in the level of skills development. It is logical for TVET Colleges to prioritise skills-based programmes. By doing so, artisans are able to make valuable contributions to the economy. Which of your study programmes are attracting student interest? Looking at enrolment trends based on College forecasts and also application trends based on student programme selections, the following conclusions were reached: The programmes with the most applicants: • Occupational Programmes: Electricians, Plant Production and Welding • Business Studies: Public Management • NCV: Office Administration and Hospitality • Engineering Studies: Electrical and Civil Engineering Do you see a link between that interest from students with the efforts of the College to promote certain programmes and the needs of the regional economy and local business? There is definitely a link as Elangeni TVET College promotes the offerings of practical and skills training for numerous vocations. ETVET is researching and exploring new College programmes that meet community needs, therefore boosting the rural and township economies by producing jobs. The College strives to build and sustain close relations with prominent industry and business figures in order to ensure that the programmes we offer fulfil the demands of the labour market. Our catchment areas are surrounded by industries and the College has begun linking its offerings to our programme qualification mix. In the near future, ETVET is planning to introduce the Transport and Logistics programme at Mpumalanga Campus, and partnerships with these businesses will make it possible for students to acquire knowledge and then be placed in industry, enabling them to obtain employment. Is it possible to teach “entrepreneurship”? If so, what works? There is a possibility. Firstly, it is essential for students to successfully fulfil the requirements of their chosen field of study or specialisation. The College often emphasises the importance of students not relying solely on the government and instead encourages them to be self-sufficient. However, it is observed that while some students possess entrepreneurship skills, they may lack the ability to effectively manage themselves and their businesses. Transitioning from the successful completion of a specific diploma or skill, students should have the opportunity to acquire entrepreneurial knowledge and skills through an entrepreneurship hub. This platform would enable students to gain expertise in creating business proposals, developing professional conduct for job applications, mastering the process of tender applications and effectively managing clients. Teaching entrepreneurship opens up these possibilities for students. ETVET is considering the establishment of an entrepreneurship hub in future. Do you have a good relationship with local businesses and SETAs? Several businesses have generously contributed training equipment to the College. ETVET has established international exchange programme partnerships with the UK, Netherlands, China and the US. The College maintains a positive rapport with several Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), which have generously provided funding for the College's learning programmes, infrastructure development and learner placements. We have also established strategic partnerships that have greatly contributed to the College's efforts in improving the delivery of teaching and learning. What lies behind the fact that Elangeni TVET College has received unqualified AG audit reports and is ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 rated? A positive audit report, such as an unqualified audit report, can be attributed to a robust and resilient compliance system. ISO 9001:2015 [Quality Management System] and ISO 45001:2018 [Occupational Health and Safety Management System] are two compliance functions that are implemented in the College. These systems ensure that the ETVET is compliant regarding all its operational functions through the implementation of a policy and procedure framework monitored by the Quality Unit. The unit undertakes internal systems audit processes and regular monitoring of its operational objectives informing management of operational under-performance. This ensures success concerning external audit processes. What work does the Business Unit do? The Business Unit is responsible for providing skills training and establishing strategic partnerships. It serves as an additional source of revenue for the College, reducing its reliance on government funding. It is essential for the College to establish financial independence. www.opportunityonline.co.za | 29