Question NW832 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training

Reply:

Based on the information obtained from the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA), the international trip to Brazil for the World Skills Competition contributed as follows:

• The programmes that were implemented ensured that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges received adequate and increased support to ensure sufficient skills development in the sector.
• In determining its programmes, ETDP SETA considered the National Development Plan and the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training (PSET), which places a huge responsibility on TVET colleges to improving both employability and entrepreneurial skills of students.
• Since South Africa did not “win” the competition, ETDP SETA has committed to provide the necessary support towards World Skills South Africa in order to contribute towards improved performance.

The Chief Executive Officer of ETDP SETA is a member of World Skills South Africa and needs to ensure that processes and logistics are in place for ensuring skills acquisitions and transfer from relevant experts.

Programme 1 of ETDP SETA’s Annual Performance Plan (APP) for 2015/16 included the commissioning of research chairs on TVET, Work Integrated Learning, Labour Market Intelligence, and Monitoring and Evaluation at Sector Level. The research chairs’ terms of reference were revised for continuation until 2018 with an intention to strengthen TVET colleges output, including the following:

• Work Integrated Learning - College lecturers received additional attention to ensure that there is integration between theory and industry related skills. The primary intention was to expose lecturers to industry in order to improve their pedagogy.
• TVET research - The research is now focusing on understanding current curriculum content and pedagogy in the light of the mandate of colleges, as they are required to produce a different “breed” of learners with skills that will make them self-employable.

Programme 2 of the APP for 2016/17 showed an increase in financial support for the skilling of TVET personnel. All 50 TVET colleges participated in various skills development programmes and an amount of R34 million was availed for the 2016/17 financial year compared to an amount of R9 million during 2015/16.

Programme 4 of the 2016/17 and 2017/18 APPs show significant increases in learners who need to be provided with workplace experience opportunities. This programme increases their employability opportunities and attainment of the N6 National Diploma. 1 125 College students were assisted with workplace training opportunities and the payment of stipends to cover traveling expenses. The target for the 2015/16 financial year was 500.

ETDP SETA has continued to place and support Career Development Officers (CDOs) at TVET colleges with at least one CDO per campus. The role of the CDOs is to assist in the recruitment of learners to consider TVET colleges as institutions of choice and not to assume that universities are the only option. They also provide student liaison support to the relevant managers and provide career information to current and new students. ETDP SETA afforded the CDOs with a training opportunity through UNISA on career guidance. The current cohort was placed for a period of 5 years and a new cohort will soon commence in the 2017/18 financial year.

In 2017/18, ETDP SETA will have at least two offices attached to TVET colleges to increase its support to the identified colleges.

CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

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QUESTION 832 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

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