Views
4 years ago

Opportunity Issue 93 - March 2020

  • Text
  • Economic
  • Economy
  • Businesses
  • Regulator
  • Electricity
  • Innovation
  • Infrastructure
  • African
  • Cape
  • Ensure
  • Www.globalafricanetwork.com

STRAPLINE Skills

STRAPLINE Skills development Building capacity Upskilling is vital to the construction industry According to the recently released Quarterly Labour Force Survey by Statistics SA, 40.1% of people between the ages of 15-34 were not in employment, education or training in Q4 2019, highlighting the fact that skills development is more important than ever. Amid positive job creation news, it is now especially vital for the construction industry to adapt to advancing standards and adequately train the emerging workforce. The construction industry currently contributes 8.3% to total employment numbers and has shown a positive uptick in job opportunities according to the Career Junction Index – which revealed a notable increase in hiring activity in the construction and building sector. The opportunities for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), or subcontractors, have been growing over the past 20 years, especially as large contractors subcontract out the majority of their work, with their main aim being to ensure the employment of site supervision to manage risks, quality and productivity. However, SMMEs in the building sector often do not have the continuous workload required to place young people on apprenticeships. In addition, due to the casualisation of labour, small businesses also cannot sustain employment over long periods. As such, it is great to see that in the past year, many Centres of Specialisation have been established in the hope that more young people strive to become artisans of the future. The Department of Higher Education, through the Quality Council for Trades & Occupations (QCTO), has also embarked on developing the skills programmes. These skills programmes often are not scoped by experts in the industry but by instructors from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. Once published, these skills programmes will become partqualifications. This system suits the Collective Agreement as our T4, T3 and T2 will be formally recognised.We are proud that the Master Builders Association in the Western Cape (MBAWC) has a Skills & Education Trust that runs free courses for those already involved in or wishing to enter the construction industry. These skill programmes assist with growing the workforce in the construction industry. The Trust will issue a certificate of receipt of donation and these receipts are recognised by all South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) approved verification agencies. Another advancement for growing access to higher education in South Africa is the new Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Codes of Good Practice amendments which came into effect in December 2019. The amendments have introduced a new scorecard indicator whereby employers can now provide bursaries for tertiary education to students and claim points. We urge any corporates in the industry who are able to provide this opportunity to please do so. In order for the construction industry to survive and thrive it is vital to invest in the future workforce by way of upskilling and continued learning. It is important to note that ongoing training should be considered a Key Performance Area for each site. If the variety of construction enterprises make every workplace a training area, we will see an improvement in quality and productivity. The MBAWC suggests that each business sends at least one supervisor on a mentorship programme in 2020. As an industry, it is necessary for members to take up the role of being leaders in training Construction Supervisors, Health & Safety Officers and Apprentices, as well as upskill their workforce through numerous short skills programmes. Anthony Keal, group skills facilitator at Master Builders Association Western Cape (MBAWC) 14 | www.opportunityonline.co.za

We Offer... Academy of People Development Who we are... At APD, we specialize in capacitating individuals operating in the education, training and development practice (ETDP) to fully understand the context of the National Skills Development Strategy. Our focus and expertise is on accredited training in support of the national qualifications framework (NQF) as we’ve built our reputation on the training of Assessors, Facilitators, Moderators and Skills development Facilitators. We have adapted to the demand and now offer a vehicle to new entrants to the ETD field with NQF Level 3,4,5 and 6. Furthermore we have extended our scope to Wholesale & Retail Seta now offering the National Certificate of Warehousing 49280. We are accredited with: OD-ETDP L4 Course Outline This certificate will be useful for entry-level ETD’s, junior training officers, and training administrators. This certificate can also be utilised by persons who have not completed matric and wish to start a learning pathway in education and training development. Minimum Requirements: Communication at NQF level 3 or equivalent. (English grade 11) Mathematical Literacy at NQF level 3 or equivalent. (Mathematics /mathematical literacy grade 11) Total Credits: 126 Qualification Duration: 1 Year RPL Available subject to RPL Admission Requirements OD-ETDP L5 Course Outline This qualification is for those who want to build on a Further Education Training Certificate in any field to enter the field of ETD as a potential career, and have little or no previous exposure to ETD. The qualification will also be valuable for those who may have been practicing within the ETD field, but without formal recognition. Minimum Requirements: Communication at NQF level 4 or equivalent. Mathematics /Mathematical Literacy at NQF level 4 or equivalent. Total Credits: 129 Qualification Duration: 1 Year RPL Available subject to RPL Admission Requirements NQF Level: 5 OD-ETDP L6 Course Outline This Certificate will enable a person to achieve recognition for Occupationally Directed Education, Training and Development (OD-ETD) competencies at a high level without needing to acquire a Degree in ETD. Minimum Requirements: National Certificate or Diploma at Level 5 in any field of learning other than ETD. Total Credits: 153 Qualification Duration: 1 Year RPL Available subject to RPL Admission Requirements NQF Level: 6 Wholesale and Retail L2 Course Outline The purpose of this certificate is to equip learners to understand and acquaint themselves with the underlying principles of all major areas related to distribution within the wholesale and retail sector. Minimum Requirements: Communication at NQF level 1 or equivalent. Mathematical Literacy at NQF level 1 or equivalent. Total Credits: 144 Qualification Duration: 1 Year RPL Available subject to RPL Admission Requirements NQF Level: 2 Academy of People Development Unit 2, Maitland Station Centre, 300 Voortrekker Road, Maitland, Cape Town, 7405 • PO:Box 407, Maitland, 7405 T: +27 21 425 9307/8 C: 0826015494 F: +086 2188 107 E: thelma@academypd.co.za W: www.academypd.co.za

Other recent publications by Global Africa Network: