Question to the Minister of Higher Education - NW2886

26 August 2015 - NW2886

Mbatha, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training

With reference to his reply to question 42 on 27 February 2015 wherein he stated that the total expenditure on the Vukani Aviation cadet pilot programme is R68 million as at February 2015, what were the agreed programme performance targets for the specified signed contracts in (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 financial years; (2) what were (a) the reported achievements of the specified programme and (b) the reasons for non-performance on the specified financial years; (3) (a) how many cadets were actively participating in the commercial pilot license training and (b) what was the amount of the specified contracts as at 12 February 2015; (4) when is the specified programme expected to be completed?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Department concluded one contract with Vukani Aviation, which commenced on 8 January 2013 covering a period of 36 months and includes the information on the requested financial years.

The Vukani Aviation Cadet Pilot Scheme Programme has the following targeted outcomes:

Programme	Target
Aviation Awareness: Recruitment and Selection	500
Psychometrics Test	500
Simulation	100
Life Skills Programmes	60
Commercial Pilot License	60

It should be noted that the cadets were split into 3 groups of 20, to allow for reasonable instruction time.

(2) (a) A summary of achievements since the inception of the programme are as follows:

Training

Training Programmes
Learners who completed the Commercial Pilot License and Advanced Pilot Training	4
Learners currently undergoing Commercial Pilot License Training	19
Learners who have obtained their Commercial Pilot License and currently undergoing Advanced Pilot Training	15
Cadets who have found employment after completing the Commercial Pilot License and Advanced Pilot Training	5
Total students who dropped out / dismissed / absconded	17
Total	60

Aviation Awareness: Recruitment and Selection - The aviation awareness portion of the project started on 16 February 2013 targeting 500 learners. Vukani Aviation visited rural and township based schools in five provinces, as well as utilizing radio stations and local newspapers to ensure greater awareness and project reach. According to the data provide to us, over 10 000 students were reached through this awareness campaign.
Psychometric Test: 189 Psychometric tests were done.
Simulation: 100 Learners were shortlisted and went through the simulation process.

Life Skills Programmes: The planned target for the Life Skills Programme was 60 learners, with 50 learners benefitting whilst 10 learners left the programme before completing all the required activities.

(b) The intention was that all 60 cadets would complete all the required tasks and flight hours in a period of 18 months, which proved to be difficult due to the following reasons:

According to Vukani Aviation, the Private Pilot License Ground School component took longer than anticipated, as the cadets struggled with mastering the required content and some were given more than the required attempts to accomplish certain tasks.
During the period leading up to the funeral of the late President Nelson Mandela, flight schools around Gauteng lost almost a month of flying time due to restrictions placed on the Gauteng airspace.

(3) (a) 9 Cadets have completed the Commercial Pilot License and Advanced Pilot Training with 5 cadets already having found employment, 19 learners are currently undergoing Commercial Pilot License Training and 15 learners are currently undergoing Advanced Pilot Training.

(b) The total budgeted programme cost is R77 070 921.00.

(4) The entire programme, as per the contract with Vukani Aviation, is expected to be completed by 31 December 2015.

Compiler/Contact persons:

Contact number:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 2886 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING