Question No 248
Mr DJ Maynier (DA) to ask Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
1) (a) (i) How many posts exist, (ii) posts are vacant and (iii) proportion of posts are vacant and, (b) on average how long have the posts been vacant in respect of (i)(aa)(aaa) helicopter pilots, (bbb) maritime transport pilots and (ccc) combat pilots, (bb) navigators and (cc) air space controllers in the SA Air Force, (iv) engineers in the (bbbb) SA Air Force
2) Whether, in respect of each of the above-mentioned posts, she will have to (a) recruit and (b) retain members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in order to fill the vacancies; if not, why not; if so, what is the (i) plan and (ii) budget for the 2009-10 financial year?
Reply
1) Spread sheet indicating the SA Air Force status on posts for pilots, navigators, air traffic controllers and engineers.
|
Other posts |
Helicopter |
Maritime Tpt |
Combat |
Air Space |
Engineers |
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|
Pilot |
Nav |
Pilot |
Nav |
Pilot |
Nav |
Pilot |
Nav |
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|
How many posts exist |
187 |
9 |
167 |
2 |
156 |
34 |
60 |
6 |
77 |
130 |
|
|
How many posts are vacant |
50 (26%) |
0 |
58 (34%) |
1 (50%) |
48 (30%) |
16 (47%) |
29 (48%) |
2 (33%) |
29 (37%) |
70 (54%) |
|
|
On average, how long being vacant |
1 yr |
0 |
1 yr 4 m |
1 yr |
1 yr |
9 m |
1 yr 5 m |
6 m |
3 yr |
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|
See Note 1 |
See Note 2 |
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|
Note 1: These figures indicate other posts at staff Level or other units which are not flying related |
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Note 2: There has always been a shortage of graduated engineers, currently 54% shortage is experienced |
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2) (a) In the SA Air Force all vacancies are planned to be filled by means of specific recruitment drives such as (i) the entry through Military Skills Development System as young SA Air Force pilots, air traffic controllers and technicians; (ii) the re-appointment of personnel with specific skills; and (iii) to selectively utilise members of the Reserve Force.
(b) The introduction of unique allowances such as the Military Aviation Career Incentive Pay (MACIP) and the Technical Incentive Payment (TCIP) was done to retain members with specific skills. It is planned to transfer the remuneration system of members to an Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD). The improvement of working conditions also forms part of the current action plan of the SA Air Force.
(i) The SA Air Force develops an annual Human Resources (HR) Support Plan, which includes the number of recruitment targets for that specific financial year, which also supports the Strategic Business Plan of the SA Air Force. The HR plan for the financial year 2009/10 for recruitment is 747 Military Skills Development System members and 40 Skilled Members.
(ii) The cost in terms of salaries for these recruitment targets is approximately R20 million , and has been provided for in the SA Air Force’s HR budget for the financial year 2009/10.
Issued by: Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans
20 August 2009
