The ability of South Africa to reverse rising unemployment and poverty rates is contingent on its progress in delivering training and skills development programs that address contemporary concerns.
This is according to Deputy President David Mabuza, who was addressing at the Sedibeng TVET College in Vereeniging, Gauteng, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC).
Aside from those in the education and training system, we have an unsustainable amount of young people who are unemployed. “Something drastic must occur,” he emphasized on Thursday.
Citing Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) figures, he stated that the country’s unemployment rate in the second quarter of the year was 33.9%, with about 12.3 million unemployed individuals.
The fact that 35.7% of youngsters between the ages of 15 and 24 are not in employment, education, or training is most disturbing.
Since then, he has encouraged the Council to implement measures to help those who have lost work and educational possibilities recover.
This, according to the Vice President, might be made achievable through a bundle of skill development interventions that provide viable life possibilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that certain jobs may not return in their current form.
He stated that the Council should consider collaborating with industry to establish skill-based programs that will facilitate the incorporation of young people into entrepreneurship and employment.
“Oftentimes, we continue to ruminate on our difficulties and make commitments to alter our trajectory, but we rarely follow through on our good intentions to improve the situation.”
To this purpose, he urged the body to promptly finalize the action plan.
He challenged them to consider whether their effort will develop the capabilities citizens will need to prosper in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Instead of attempting to do everything, we should consider how to prioritize and pick a portfolio of interrelated national high-impact interventions or initiatives that will yield actual outcomes for our nation.’
Moreover, the Vice President stated that the Council must obtain the required financial resources from the government and the private sector in order to implement these proposals.
How can we ensure that the HRDC strategy reflects the needs of current job searchers and entrepreneurs?
He emphasized that the action plan should result in the creation of a better learning and training environment.
With the correct education and training, we can advance as a nation.
Business skills
The changing nature of business, he said the delegates, has prompted a shift in the skills and capacities required to establish and expand a sustainable contemporary economy.
“Realigning the content of our curriculum offerings and skills development programs necessitates a rapid paradigm shift and reorientation in order to meet the needs of industry and the economy.”
Moreover, he stated that the 4IR, National Digital and Future Skills Strategy provides a crucial framework for inclusive partnerships between industry, labor, higher education institutions, and society in order to envision and develop a new set of skills and capacities for the nation.
“From the foundations of basic education to the tertiary levels, essential resources and infrastructure must be provided to accelerate the delivery of relevant and appropriate skills.”
He was encouraged by Sedibeng TVET College, which takes pride in its innovative research and technology in fields such as mechatronics.
The mix of mechanical engineering, electronics, and computer systems, in his opinion, will go a long way toward creating the necessary skills and strengthening the economy.
“As a Council, we must ensure that all of our TVET colleges establish strategic alliances with industry leaders in all economic areas.”
Digital divide
In the meanwhile, he stated that the nation must reduce digital inequality, particularly among low-skilled and low-income residents, particularly women and girls.
Concerns were expressed regarding the 750 000 students who did not return to school as a result of the pandemic.
These rising dropout rates contribute to the already substantial number of young people who are not in school, job, or training.
In addition, he emphasized how COVID-19 increased the digital divide in society.
“While other schools in affluent areas were able to continue learning during COVID-19, those without access to ICT were disadvantaged and therefore fell behind, prompting our call for the mobilization of the necessary resources from the government and private sector to jointly drive these initiatives.” – SAnews.gov.za