A government drive to train artisans to meet a target of a 40000-strong skilled labour force by 2030 kicked off in the Eastern Cape on Friday.
The provincial leg of the programme, titled the Decade of the Artisan, was officially launched by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana at East London’s Mercedes-Benz plant.
Manana said government was concerned about the dire shortage of artisans.
He visited Buffalo City College’s John Knox campus in Mdantsane.
Manana then proceeded to meet about 200 pupils at Sisa Dukashe stadium.
He said he was going around the country as part of an awareness campaign for young people to enrol for artisanships and for the private sector to create training and job opportunities.
“We are concerned, and all of us should be, because of the mis-match of skills as a result of failure to provide information to young people.”
Manana said young people were resorting to crime because they lacked skills and were jobless.
Manana also said there was a need for young people to stop looking down at technical vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, formally known as further education and training (FET) colleges.
He said the country was forced to import skills to undertake huge infrastructure projects.
“As a doctor needs a nurse, university graduates need artisans. They cannot do it alone.
“We are trying to empower young people with information.”
He cited several projects including the Medupi power station.
Manana said president Jacob Zuma announced in 2012 that a massive infrastructure programme would be rolled out in the country and young people should benefit from it. “We must continue with our infrastructure projects while at the same time we are taking up this initiative,” he said.
“The ball is in the court of the students. We no longer need people to study theory and end up being a burden to government.
“In promoting TVET we are not doing it to ease pressure on universities but we want to create skilled people in the country to help improve the economy,” he said.
Eastern Cape education MEC Mandla Makupula said the provincial department was working closely with Manana’s department.
He said 107 technical schools in the province were functional despite reports of a lack of resources.
Manufacturing, engineering and related service Seta president Dr Raymond Patel said the organisation was working closely with schools and universities to improve artisanship skills development.
Mercedes-Benz’s human resources manager Stephen Goold said the company would work closely with artisans in the East London region to improve their skills.
He said about 25% of staff at Mercedes-Benz were artisans and they were highly revered. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
Bid to ease big shortage of artisans
The provincial leg of the programme, titled the Decade of the Artisan, was officially launched by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana at East London’s Mercedes-Benz plant.
Manana said government was concerned about the dire shortage of artisans.
He visited Buffalo City College’s John Knox campus in Mdantsane.
Manana then proceeded to meet about 200 pupils at Sisa Dukashe stadium.
He said he was going around the country as part of an awareness campaign for young people to enrol for artisanships and for the private sector to create training and job opportunities.
“We are concerned, and all of us should be, because of the mis-match of skills as a result of failure to provide information to young people.”
Manana said young people were resorting to crime because they lacked skills and were jobless.
Manana also said there was a need for young people to stop looking down at technical vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, formally known as further education and training (FET) colleges.
He said the country was forced to import skills to undertake huge infrastructure projects.
“As a doctor needs a nurse, university graduates need artisans. They cannot do it alone.
“We are trying to empower young people with information.”
He cited several projects including the Medupi power station.
Manana said president Jacob Zuma announced in 2012 that a massive infrastructure programme would be rolled out in the country and young people should benefit from it. “We must continue with our infrastructure projects while at the same time we are taking up this initiative,” he said.
“The ball is in the court of the students. We no longer need people to study theory and end up being a burden to government.
“In promoting TVET we are not doing it to ease pressure on universities but we want to create skilled people in the country to help improve the economy,” he said.
Eastern Cape education MEC Mandla Makupula said the provincial department was working closely with Manana’s department.
He said 107 technical schools in the province were functional despite reports of a lack of resources.
Manufacturing, engineering and related service Seta president Dr Raymond Patel said the organisation was working closely with schools and universities to improve artisanship skills development.
Mercedes-Benz’s human resources manager Stephen Goold said the company would work closely with artisans in the East London region to improve their skills.
He said about 25% of staff at Mercedes-Benz were artisans and they were highly revered. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
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