SKILLS NEWS - 13 April 2011

Newsletter SKILLS INPUT 13 April 2011

In-service training placement a success

The SAOGA skills office has with the help of industry placed more than 50 Welding, Boilermaking, Fitting and Rigging trainees for experiential learning in workplaces.   This would not have been possible without SAOGA, Provincial Government, the City of Cape Town, CASIDRA, Job Realisation and Imvusa working together to achieve this milestone.  A unique collaborative placement model has emerged through commitment and dedication from the partners.  It is proven that job seekers with prior work experience find it easier to find sustainable employment.  

We plan to continue with placing 70 additional trainees with the financial support of CASIDRA and CHIETA this financial year.

Productivity

Enhanced productivity promotes competitiveness and economic growth.  SAOGA is in discussion with Productivity South Africa in order to co-present an industry event on productivity.  In addition to this Productivity SA will also offer an upskilling course on productivity to SAOGA member companies. Watch this space for more information.

Skills Working Groups (SWG’s)

It is anticipated that SAOGA Skills Working Groups will be established in the following areas with the purpose to inform skills development in these areas: 

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Management, Project Management, Supervision and Productivity

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Skills Development, Train the Trainer, Mentoring and Lifeskills

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Quality and Inspections (corrosion, coating, welding)

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Logistics

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Health, Safety and the Environment

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Manufacture, Fabrication & Ship Repair

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Feeder Development (Schools and FET Colleges)

Upskilling

SAOGA upskilling courses are designed to provide training support to the sector.   The training programme offer participants support in the form of a subsidy.  The next Project Management course (23 -27 May) has space for two more candidates, bringing the current upskilling series to an end.  Make sure you keep an eye on www.saoga.org.za  (Quick Links) for information about future courses.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

CHIETA funding will make it possible for SAOGA to assist selected employees/contract workers with appropriate trade experience to become tradesmen through the RPL process.  Interested participants/companies should contact Adrian at AStrydom@offshoreafrica.co.za for information about this initiative.

The SETA landscape

The SETA landscape has seen the appointment of independent SETA chairpersons.  We are entering an interesting phase in skills development that could see a number of new SETA CEO’s appointed and the implementation of National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) 3.  The sector should continue to look for opportunities to develop a skilled workforce with optimal support from the SETA’s.