New local artisan-focused college programme is launched

THE realisation that South Africa must focus on technical skills in order to improve the economy has led to the rolling out of a new programme at Umfolozi TVET College.

Centre of Specialisation (CoS) is a national programme aimed at producing a skilled workforce to support inclusive economic growth, increased availability of intermediate-level technical skills, increased delivery of qualified artisans in priority trades and improved capacity of public TVET colleges to train in skills in demand by the industry.

The programme is the result of a public-private partnership between the Department of Higher Education and Training, and business associations from the private sector.

Focused on 13 priority trades, the programme will use the dual system apprenticeships that combine technical education at a TVET college with simulated practical training, as well as work experience, in a single learning environment.

Umfolozi TVET College will offer millwright and rigging trades.

There will be close interaction between the college and employers throughout the training, with workplace schedule setting the tone.

Zungu said it is the role of the college to make a difference in its areas of operation and urged the host employers to have a joint training committee.

In her motivational message, employer representative Kylie Griffin urged companies to play an active role in the country’s future by up-skilling the youth.

‘We need to make some changes to reverse inequality, focus on artisans who play a highly important role in industry, and to have innovative equipment.

‘We hope this project will open doors, but we need the industry for this programme to be effective.

‘We need projects like this to develop, up-skill and take youth to the workforce.

‘Our goals are to empower and assist TVET colleges, which are the providers of choice, and produce a curriculum occupationally designed for industry.’

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