FEATURES 25
EWSETA CEO , Mpho Mookapele says “ A business needs a fully skilled individual . This depends on the employer ’ s willingness to have faith that the employee they invest in to be upskilled , will remain with their company once they have gained these skills .” For Mookapele , this thinking should fundamentally shift “ Ultimately , the larger the pool of skilled individuals in the sector , the more options are available , and an industry can grow as a result .”
How can we fix it ? Training can take place in the workplace or at colleges . Upskilling can also be done through various workshops . There are several initiatives to train the trainer , which are valuable as it ensures that those who are lecturing and mentoring are up to date on the latest developments , equipment and processes available , and can then pass this information on to their students . EWSETA is a part of establishing and driving initiatives like these .
Experiential learning is important .
“ EWSETA is strategically intentional in our support for the development for lecturers and the growth of public colleges by exposing lecturers to training opportunities and initiatives that will help them grow and develop their own skills set ,” says Mpho Mookapele . Through EWSETA and their close collaboration and partnerships with industry , lecturers are capacitated on latest industry trends and exposed to new technologies that are coming online in the energy and water sectors . They place focus on “ Train the Trainer ” programmes which allows for enhanced quality teaching in the classroom and greater trust by industry in our public college system .
Understanding industry skills demand needs through credible skills planning , EWSETA works with a number of strategic partners to capacitate TVET colleges , particularly with the provision and installation of new technology equipment within the colleges themselves allowing for industry-aligned practical training to take place . Their support extends to the provision of a number of learning programmes , Workplace Integrated Learning ( WIL ) programmes and even career guidance .
Mpho Mookopele would like to see a revival of occupationally directed programmes and qualifications . “ How do you proactively respond to recent developments in the sector ? Introduce more accredited skills programmes as determined with industry ,” she says . “ Expose graduates to short skills programmes . Involve them in managerial development . Training can take place in the workplace or at colleges . Upskilling can also be done through various workshops .
Kreishandwerkschaft is a German organisation that incorporates the values of apprenticeship based on the excellent German dual vocational training . It ’ s motivated to export these values internationally . “ Craftspeople have special expertise in professional practice , in vocational education and in business operations ,” says Katja Lommetz .
The group seeks to partner with the private sector and educational institutions to bring about a deeper understanding and greater communication between the two .. Ultimately , getting employment for these students is the goal .
This is a goal shared by Harambee , an organisation that is focused on assisting unemployed youth with finding work . Training , of course , features as part of that process of getting a young person to make a meaningful economic contribution .
BluLever emerged in 2018 , with a focus on creating better qualified artisans . This focus stemmed from the grim reality of what they saw as an ineffectual training system , swelling unemployment numbers and often unemployable youth .
Dan Kabongo from BluLever mentions that the BluLever initiative is designed to empower Africa ' s artisans with skills for the future . “ We ’ re developing Africa ’ s artisans as ethical industry professionals of global standard ,” he says , “ We do this through holistic and innovative vocational education and training , essentially a 3-year apprenticeship programme .”
Kabongo believes that South Africa needs holistic , innovative , industryled solutions .
There is also a need for ongoing learning for plumbing professionals , and an opportunity needs to be made for those who are skilled , but not yet qualified . EWSETA and IOPSA are working together on ARPL programmes to help these individuals gain their qualifications .
As for further learning , apart from various suppliers offering regular training on their products , IOPSA also provides opportunities for those who want to improve existing skills or add a few new ones .
“ We encourage all plumbing artisans to register on the IOPSA LMS System ( Registration is free ) available on www . iopsa . org where they would be able to access training webinars , YouTube presentations and more on a variety of topics pertaining to plumbing which they can access at their own leisure to gain a better understanding and knowledge of a specific topic ,” says Gerrie Botha
IOPSA also offers periodic CPD accredited Installers Training on a variety of topics ( some examples include geyser installations , and drainage installations ) in all the regions where the plumber / installer can gain a better understanding of installations they are expected to conduct on a daily basis , in an effort to uplift and encourage participants to provide a professional and compliant service to the community . PA
“ This results in an increase in fly-bynight colleges that take advantage of these loopholes .”
July 2024 Volume 30 I Number 5 www . plumbingafrica . co . za