Question NW2931 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training
25 October 2017 - NW2931
Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
(1)For each public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college, (a) what number of the appointments in vacancies for managers and lecturing staff that were advertised before the end of April 2017 have not yet been finalised, (b) which of the specified positions became vacant more than 12 months ago and (c) what factors are contributing to the delays; (2) Will any steps be undertaken to improve the turnaround time to fill the vacancies; if so, (a) what steps and (b) by what date will they be implemented; (3) Will he consider decentralising the (a) application and (b) selection process for the filling of vacancies at TVET colleges; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. (a) The Department advertised 112 management posts at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and filled 69 posts. The remaining 43 posts are at various stages within the recruitment and selection processes.
(b) 19 Posts were vacant for a period of longer than 12 months.
(c) The following factors contribute to the delays:
- The Department receives large volumes of applications (approximately 30 000 applications) to be captured and processed;
- The non-availability of panel members for shortlisting and interview sessions; and
- Security clearance and screening processes of successful candidates takes longer to process as the Department relies on the State Security Services.
2. Steps to improve turnaround times to fill vacancies:
|
Plan |
Activities |
Time frame |
|
Branch Head to manage and coordinate shortlisting and interview processes |
Assign the Branch Head as the responsible official to manage and coordinate shortlisting and interviewing processes. Incorporate the filling of posts as a Key Result Area in the performance contracts of all Senior Managers. |
31 March 2018 |
|
Develop a Recruitment Plan to fill posts within a specific financial year |
Identify all vacant funded posts to be filled within the following financial year. Prioritise posts to be vacated and advertise them six months prior of the post being vacated. |
January every year |
|
Utilise an e-Recruitment system to advertise posts |
Facilitate the appointment of a service provider to develop an e-Recruitment system to manage recruitment processes. |
31 March 2018 for use by 1 April 2018 |
|
Standardise recruitment and selection processes across the country |
Train College Human Resource Officials on recruitment and selection processes to ensure uniformity. |
31 December 2017 |
|
Utilise Regulation 65(8) of the Public Service Regulations to fill vacancies |
Fill generic posts on salary level 8 and below by utilising applications from previously advertised positions, within a period of six months. |
On going |
|
Service Standards for recruitment and selection processes |
Develop Service Standards for recruitment and selection processes. |
31 December 2017 |
3. College Principals already have delegations to advertise and fill positions on salary levels 1-8 and post levels 1-3.
COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:
EXT:
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
STATUS:
DATE:
QUESTION 2931 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
PROF. HB MKHIZE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
STATUS:
DATE: