Blade cuts new strategy

While the first and second strategies had achieved much since the inception of the Skills Development Act of 1998, a severe lack of skills was constraining the economy, said Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande in Midrand, Johannesburg in January this year.

The third National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS III) was aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the country’s skills development system.

“This strategy represents an explicit commitment to encouraging the linking of skills development to career paths, career development and promoting sustainable employment and in-work progression,” Nzimande said. “The emphasis is particularly on those who do not have relevant technical skills or adequate reading, writing and numeracy skills to enable them to access employment.”

The strategy promotes partnerships between employers, public education institutions such as further education and training (FET) colleges, universities of technologies, universities, private training providers and sector education and training authorities (Setas).

Nzimande said the NSDS III would addresses the scope and mandate of the country’s Setas. “Setas are expected to facilitate the delivery of sector-specific skills interventions that help achieve the goals of the NSDS III, address employer demand and deliver results,” he explained.

The NSDS III would further result in the formation of an “institutional mechanism” to provide credible information and analysis on the supply of and demand for skills.

“South Africa faces a shortage of intermediate skills, especially artisanal skills. The intention is to ensure that 10 000 artisans per year qualify with relevant skills and find employment,” said Nzimande.

He added that the NSDS III would aim to achieve a growth in FET colleges, as well as address the low level of youth and adult literacy and numeracy skills.

Transnet uplifts Transkei school

An underprivileged school in the Transkei has begun the new year on a positive note after receiving a donation of furniture to the value of R238 000 from state-owned port operator, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT).

Gqubeni Junior Secondary School, which caters for 600 pupils in the impoverished Mqanduli region in the former Transkei, now has enough desks, tables and chairs to provide a comfortable learning environment.

The school came to the company’s attention when it was featured on SABC 2’s Morning Live last year. Footage showed pupils starting their school year in appalling conditions. Mud classrooms had been destroyed by strong winds in 2005; and pupils had since been taught outside where wind, direct sunlight and rain compromised their learning.

Principal Mrs Mabona said the school had a high rate of absenteeism because of its poor conditions. “Many of the learners just stayed at home when it was cold and wet because they did not want to sit outside for classes. Our annual pass rate was badly affected,” she noted.

The school had not been allowed to use a community hall located in its yard to conduct classes. The provincial Department of Education stepped in to provide a R3-million temporary steel structure, which was completed in mid-2010.

Now, with proper desks and school furniture from TPT, the pupils may finally be able to play catch-up in their studies.

TPT’s terminal executive manager for the Eastern Cape region, Siya Mhlaluka, encouraged the pupils to stay focused on their education despite their challenges.

“We are honoured to have been able to help in some small way by working with the provincial Department of Education.

“We hope that this donation will go some way toward easing the burden faced by these rural learners,” he said.

Mhlaluka added that TPT’s Eastern Cape teams would be working with the department to assist Mqaduli’s Gobidolo Senior Primary School.

Exciting ship simulation course

Simon’s Town-based South African Maritime Training Academy (Samtra) has announced that it has included in its course listing the Ship Simulation and Bridge Teamwork course, which conforms to International Maritime Organization model course 1.22. Trainees who successfully complete this course will have gained experience in handling ships under various conditions, and will make a more effective contribution to the bridge team during ship manoeuvering in normal as well as any emergency situations.

Specific issues of which trainees will gain experience include:

• Familiarisation with the use of engines and helm for ship manoeuvering;
• An understanding of the effects on the behaviour of the ship in wind, current, shallow water, banks and narrow channels and conditions of loading;
• Awareness of the importance of planning a passage or manoeuvre and the need for an alternative plan;
• An understanding and awareness of efficient bridge procedures and bridge teamwork during watch-keeping and ship-handling, in normal and in emergency situations; and
• A greater understanding and awareness of a good interactive communication style and benefit of building up a common shared mental model of the planned passage.

Samtra can be contacted via e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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