Question NW801 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training

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11 April 2018 - NW801

Profile picture: Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP

Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training

(1)What is the total number of learners who (a) underwent assessment and (b) passed their trade tests for each type of trade for which assessments are undertaken by Indlela over the past two years; (2) what is the (a) mean waiting time between the receipt of an application for a trade test and the first date on which the actual assessment was undertaken and (b) time lapse between the last day of the test and the date on which the results were communicated to apprentices; (3) what (a) is the total cost of the trade test and related services for her department and the apprentice concerned and (b) services are covered by the fee for a trade test; (4) (a) what steps have been undertaken to improve the pass rate for trade tests and (b) how successful have these initiatives been; (5) (a) what is the maximum number of apprentices that can be accommodated in overnight accommodation at Indlela and (b) what is the total cost of overnight accommodation and the occupation rate of the facilities?

Reply:

1. (a) The total number of learners who underwent assessment at INDLELA in 2016/17 and 2017/18 is 8361.

(b) The total number of learners who passed their trade test at INDLELA during this period is 6383.

The table below indicates the trade tests conducted and passed per trade during 2016/17 and 2017/18

No

Trade

2016/17

2017/18

As at the end of Quarter 3

   

Tested

Passed

Tested

Passed

 

Aircraft maintenance mechanic

52

41

25

15

 

Aircraft structures worker

15

11

0

0

 

Armature winder

11

11

10

9

 

Automotive motor mechanic

129

71

94

50

 

Avionics mechanician

4

4

1

1

 

Blacksmith

1

1

0

0

 

Boiler maker

413

356

303

206

 

Bricklayer

107

35

105

25

 

Carpenter

135

90

107

49

 

Diesel mechanic

355

139

308

84

 

Electrician

1175

886

1442

787

 

Electronic equipment mechanician

11

9

12

8

 

Fitter and turner

45

23

88

25

 

Heavy equipment mechanic

63

32

36

18

 

Instrument mechanician

18

15

10

9

 

Joiner

0

0

1

1

 

Mechanical fitter

360

298

421

237

 

Metal machinist

19

15

28

9

 

Millwright

39

34

46

30

 

Painter

101

54

91

34

 

Panelbeater

17

10

6

2

 

Plasterer

5

1

0

0

 

Plumber

639

594

422

335

 

Radiotrician

13

8

4

3

 

Rigger

164

105

144

60

 

Sheetmetal worker

1

1

0

0

 

Structural plater

0

0

10

6

 

Transportation electrician

62

33

98

34

 

Vehicle body builder

2

2

0

0

 

Vehicle painter

21

14

11

4

 

Welder

380

300

184

149

TOTAL

4357

3193

4007

2190

2. (a) The mean waiting (lead) time between the receipt of an application for a trade test and the first date on which the actual assessment was undertaken was 120 days (annual average) for 2016/17 and 86 days (annual average) for 2017/18 which is a year-to-year average of 103 days as at the third quarter of 2017/18 over the two year period.

Table on average lead time:

Financial Year

Quarter 1

Quarter 2

Quarter 3

Quarter 4

Annual

2016 - 2017

148 days

112 days

121 days

97 days

120 days

2017 - 2018

97 days

73 days

86 days

Outstanding

Outstanding

(b) When a candidate finishes his/her trade test, the assessor gives immediate feedback in the workshop, including his/her overall results. However, the process is still subject to quality assurance conducted by a moderator. If successful, it then takes a month for a candidate to receive his/her certificate issued by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). A trade test centre is required to forward the certificate to the candidate once the QCTO has issued.

3. (a) The total cost of trade tests and related services at INDLELA for the financial year 2017/18 as at 12 March 2018 was R80 474 000 made up of R9 306 000 for goods and services, R357 000 for machinery and equipment and the difference of R70 811 000 for remuneration of staff. The current allocation in terms of goods and services, machinery and equipment does not enable improvement of the facility and merely provides for service delivery.

The cost for a trade test to employed candidates varies between a minimum of R220 to a maximum of R500 depending on the trade and for unemployed candidates between R220 and R275 also depending on the trade for which the candidate applies.

b) Included in the trade test fees is the trade test application, registration, testing and certification costs. A trade test applicant only pays the fees if his or her application is successful in meeting the criteria for access to a trade test as regulated under Trade Test Regulations 11(3) or 11(5) or the Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) process.

4. (a) INDLELA works closely with the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) which in the past three years has progressively eliminated unaccredited trade test centres and training providers from the system. The elimination is achieved through allocation of a serial number system which is given only to accredited trade test centres and training providers who meet the minimum accreditation standards. Without this serial number they cannot be registered on the system for trade testing. NAMB continuously performs quality assurance audits at these accredited trade test centres and training providers and those who fall below the minimum quality standard requirements face deregistration.

To improve the success chances of candidates, the Department has, in consultation with business and organised labour, developed and progressively started with the implementation of an ARPL intervention process founded on a tested model. The broader objective of the ARPL intervention is to assist in closing knowledge and skills gaps identified during and after the assessment process. To this effect, ARPL interventions for the welding, boiler making, mechanical fitting, diesel mechanic and motor mechanic trades was implemented nationally on 19 October 2017 and for hairdressing on
6 December 2017. Due to the short period since implementation and considering the process and duration from when an applicant entering the ARPL process to writing a trade test, it is still early to indicate the success rate.

INDLELA has also developed the National Artisan Development Strategy which re-establishes the dual system of apprenticeship training. The implementation date is envisaged to be in April 2019, subject to successful policy development processes.

b) Artisan statistics from INDLELA trade testing indicate a continuously improving pass rate percentage which in the previous 3 years (2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16) on average was 45% yet in 2016/17 financial year improved to 52%.

5. (a) INDLELA hostel has a bed and breakfast facility and can accommodate a total of 100 candidates in hostel rooms, of which 20 rooms are fitted with two single beds for female candidates; 20 rooms are fitted with two single beds for male candidates; and 20 rooms are fitted with a single bed for male candidates.

b) The cost for accommodation including bed and breakfast is R 130 per candidate per day. On average 60 candidates tested at INDLELA per session are utilising the accommodation facility leading to an average occupation rate of around 60% of the facilities.

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