Media Statement on the conclusion of the 20th HRDC Meeting chaired by Deputy President David Mabuza

Deputy President David Mabuza chaired the 20th meeting of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) today, Friday 22 June 2018 held at the University of South Africa (UNISA) Science Campus in Florida, Johannesburg, Gauteng.
 
The meeting discussed and received reports on the following:
 
A research study report on the nature and extent of partnerships between the post schooling institutions and industry. Council emphasised the need to continue monitoring new innovative partnerships that have emerged since the study was conducted. 
 
Artisan Training - a presentation on the implementation of Artisan Training done by State Owned Companies through collaboration between the Department of Higher Education and Training and the Department of Public Enterprises. Council encouraged the project to focus more on the private sector’s contribution on the placement of trained artisan into employment.
 
Skills Planning - a progress report on the establishment of the credible, institutional mechanism for Skills Planning in the country - a project conducted by the Department of Higher Education and Training in partnership with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). Council supported the decision of DHET to establish a small unit to coordinate the work that is done by existing capacity of researchers in the collation of data and skills planning in the country.
 
Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme an initiative of the President to encourage business to work with government in order to empower 1 million young people over the next five years to become economically active. Council encouraged the Department of Labour to continue to be involved in the project to ensure provision of statistics on the youth that are being placed. The department should also support those SMMEs that are able to place learners but cannot afford to pay them. The issue of displacement of full time employees by the youth being placed was raised as a serious concern. Extensive monitoring was encouraged to avoid and address the problem.
 
Centres of Specialisation - a Department of Higher Education and Training initiative to encourage TVET colleges to create centres of specialization in collaboration with industry in producing artisans. 
 

Enquiries: Brenda Ntombela, Head of HRDC Secretariat, on 012 943 3179 / 0825733716
 
Issued by: The Human Resource Development Council Secretariat