TRAINING
Transformation has
training at its core
BANKSETA has a particularly
big responsibility, says Minister
of Higher Education and
Training Dr Blade Nzimande.
T
he transformation of our country through the creation
of a more equitable society and the provision of
opportunities for previously-disadvantaged people has
training at its core. Providing appropriate education
and skills development opportunities to black people,
women and the disadvantaged is essential if they participate
properly and centrally in the running of the economy in general,
particularly in the banking industry. There has obviously been some
progress in this regard as the race profile of the sector has shown
a significant shift.
In 2000, the first Banking Sector Skills Plan recorded 19%
Africans, 14% Coloureds, 8% Asians and 59% Whites as employees
in the sector. By April 2011, the number of Africans was up to 41%,
Whites down to 29%, 12% of employees were Asians and Coloureds
comprised 17% of employees. In 2011, the banking sector employed
1 895 people with disabilities which, while still not really impressive,
is apparently also a significantly larger number than previously.
Of course, these are overall statistics and say nothing about the level
of employment of the various groups. Recognise that I could be
wrong, but I suspect that overall previously more advantaged groups,
especially whites, still dominate senior positions. Nonetheless, the
banking industry must be given credit for the progress that has
been made. I expect that the BANKSETA has played a role here –
I certainly hope so – and that it will continue making a contribution
towards making the banking representative of the South African
population.
SETAs can expand opportunities for initial professional training
for youth with academic potential but insufficient funding – or help
institutions strengthen their capacity to provide training in key areas
where it is difficult to develop scarce and critical skills. A recent,
good example of this is provided by the BANKSETA which recently,
in partnership with the University of Zululand and the South
African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), embarked on
a programme to assist previously-disadvantaged students to enter
the Chartered Accountancy profession. Fifty students have been
fully funded for the duration of the programme, and will be followed
by a further intake of 100 students over the next three years.
This programme is providing opportunities to bright but poor,
Dr Blade Nzimande
black youngsters to embark – with financial, social and academic
support – on a career in a scarce and critical skill in a part of
the country where such training was previously unavailable. In
addition, BANKSETA has supported the University of Fort Hare
Financial Markets Programme since 2009 by means of bursaries
and economics capacity building. These and similar programme
contribute importantly to building the skills of our people.
Of course, skills need to be built not only for professionals and
managers and BANKSETA has a role at all skills levels, from clerks
to senior executives. One of the biggest skills shortages in our
country is that for mid-level skills and we expect all the SETAs, the
colleges and the universities to tackle this challenge with vigour.
The BANKSETA has a particularly big responsibility in our
country at this time. Banks are at the heart of the financial sector
and the financial sector is, for better or for worse, at the centre of
the economy.
A study commissioned by the World Bank, published in March
2012, notes the extraordinarily rapid expansion of the financial
sector in South Africa in the first decade of this century. In 2008, this
sector was responsible for 13% of GDP as opposed to 6% only four
years earlier, in 2004. This suggests a rapid growth of a demand for
skills. Excerpted from Minister Nzimande’s address to BANKSETA’s
5th international conference, 2012.
For the full address visit www.bankseta.org.za.
Edition 5
BANKER SA
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