South African Business 2018 edition

INTERVIEW Meeting

INTERVIEW Meeting national development imperatives As the Head of Secretariat: Human Resource Development Council of South Africa, Brenda Ntombela is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Secretariat. Brenda Ntombela BIOGRAPHY Brenda Ntombela is a graduate of the University of Limpopo, has a Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of South Africa and has completed various management courses. She has worked in Higher Education and ICT. She has served as a Councillor for the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), is currently a Council member at the Durban University of Technology and on the transformation Committee of the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions. What are the key goals of the Revised HRD Strategy Towards 2030? The HRD Strategy aims to: • Strengthen basic education and foundation programmes in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, Languages and Life Orientation/Skills • Expand access to quality post-schooling education and training • Improve research and technological innovation outcomes • Produce appropriately skilled people for the economy • Promote a developmental/capable state How does the plan differ from its predecessor? Various new government priorities and plans have been developed including the National Development Plan (NDP). Global trends and developments have also been taken into account, particularly the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on government, business, individuals and society. These changes required a review of the Human Resource Development Strategy of South Africa (HRDSA) 2010 to 2030. This Revised HRD Strategy outlines the human resource development imperatives that are needed to meet national development imperatives. What are the roles of various social partners in the strategy? Labour: Focuses on worker education including the training of shop stewards and negotiators to improve their understanding of labour law. Supports the analysis of requirements, including the implementation of skills audit and identifies programmes, general education as well as technical skills and supports training for the unemployed. Business: Continue to work on commitments within the Skills Accord. Implement the Chief Executive Officer initiative to support a Youth Employment Scheme (YES) which aims to put one-million youth into SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2018 42

internships. Provide additional funding for bursaries as well as other skills priorities (over and above the skills levy). Government: Ensure that cross-departmental blockages can be addressed. In addition, provinces may also adopt special programmes that are specific to the province. Civil Society: Communities act as a direct mechanism for channelling HRD imperatives through participation. Community involvement enables citizens to influence the decisions that affect their lives, as well providing vital information on community development issues. Communities will be able to make decisions on impacts associated with the implementation of the strategy. These decisions will be made through their representatives who participate in the HRD Council structures. Who are the key beneficiaries? The key beneficiaries that the revised HRD Strategy towards 2030 is targeting are Government as key leaders, Social partners (organised labour, business and civil society), Women, Youth, Communities, Vulnerable groups and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMMEs). What are the current projects being implemented? The HRD Council is currently coordinating the following projects: Strengthening of Maths & Science teachers education, development & implementation of a funding model for worker education partnerships between TVET Colleges and Industry. INTERVIEW Priority Programmes are: Programme 1 Foundation Education with Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Languages and Life Orientation/Skills. Programme 2 TVET and the Rest of the College System. Programme 3 Higher Education and Training, Research and Innovation. Programme 4 Skills for the transformation of society and the economy. Programme 5 Development/capable state. How does the Strategy tackle youth unemployment? It supports various interventions to create employment and reiterates the need for the involvement of all stakeholders in the HRD processes. The HRD Council is strengthening the partnerships between TVET colleges and industries to help reduce youth unemployment by calling on industries to open up doors for workplace experience for youth. Does the Strategy deal with “radical economic transformation”? Yes, the HRD Strategy promotes social and economic development. It also supports the Government’s Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTSF) which focuses on a competitive economy, creation of decent work opportunities, encouragement of investment and promotes inclusive growth. This allows every individual in South Africa to access Human Resource Development facilities and resources. CONTACT INFO Physical address: 6th Floor, Ndinaye House, 178 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria Telephone: +27 12 943 3187 Mobile: +27 82 573 3716 Email: ntombela.b@dhet.gov.za Website: www.hrdcsa.org.za 43 SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2018