BUSINESS AND TRAINING
As the representative body of the plumbing industry,
IOPSA looks after the interests of its various
stakeholders. One of the key areas in which IOPSA
continues to invest resources is training and
development across the sub-sector. There are two
major approaches through which this is gradually
being achieved – involvement in apprenticeship
programmes that address the national challenge of
youth unemployment; and lobbying policy makers
on matters around skills development for the
plumbing trade. aggressively pilot the ‘dual’ principle preparing the ground
for a full CoS implementation process. The dual principle
is an arrangement whereby employers offer experiential
learning to apprentices while TVETs impart the knowledge
component, including simulations with IOPSA as the centre.
This ensures that all parties contract seamlessly in a project
that will culminate in the all-important trade test. The first
intake for this three-year programme started in January
2018, while the second group is expected to commence
soon in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape. This
means that IOPSA will be celebrating along with the first
group from Ekurhuleni East and Port Elizabeth colleges as
they become qualified artisans in 2020.
Centres of Specialisation (CoS) Strong lobbying position
IOPSA serves as the lead employer in the Department of
Higher Education and Training (DHET)’s CoS initiative. The
primary objective of CoS is to address the demand for
priority trades that are required for the implementation
of the government’s National Development Plan and the
National Infrastructure Plan through direct contribution
towards building the capacity of the public Technical
and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college
system so that it can deliver trade qualifications with
employers as critical role-players. With plumbing having
been identified as one of the 13 priority trades within
CoS, IOPSA is charged with the task of acting as a link
between industry and participating colleges, onboarding
host employers including the management of apprentices
in this intricate collaboration. While other aspects such as
funding are driven by DHET through the Sector Education
and Training Authority (Seta) discretionary grant system,
IOPSA ensures that both employers and colleges offer
a well-rounded skills solution for the development of a
world-class artisan. IOPSA’s leadership in these prestigious programmes has
not gone unnoticed as the body continues to participate
in various forums as part of project and operations teams
that direct effectiveness within the initiatives. We continue
to grow as an influencer in the skills development debate
– such as our leadership getting called upon to advise
government teams with regard to plumbing skills. It also
includes involvement in curriculum development with bodies
such as the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations.
In partnership with the Plumbing Industry Registration
Board, IOPSA also advocates for recognition of plumbers’
continuous professional development efforts in the hope that
these interventions will, in the near future, count towards
attainment of skills development points as prescribed in the
Amended Construction Sector Codes.
Dual System Pilot Project (DSPP)
The recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) between IOPSA and the Construction Sector Education
and Training Authority means that the organisation is
increasingly consolidating its position as an industry force
that is geared to shape the skills development landscape
going forward. This strategic partnership heralds a new
day and will certainly be a catalyst for more targeted
development programmes in plumbing for the benefit of
South Africa’s historically disadvantaged persons, particularly
youth and women. PA
Another flagship project that IOPSA runs in collaboration
with the German Cooperation (GIZ) is DSPP, which
essentially has the same objectives as those of CoS. Funded
directly by the National Skills Fund (NSF), DSPP aims to
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Plumbers in training.
October 2019 Volume 25 I Number 8
www.plumbingafrica.co.za