group
9 March 2006
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana has lauded the Cabinetâs appointment of
veteran unionist Gwede Mantashe to head the newly established Joint Initiative
for Priority Skills Acquisition (Jipsa).
Jipsa is the skills empowerment arm of the Accelerated and Shared Growth
Initiative for South Africa (Asgisa), a programme announced by President Thabo
Mbeki during his State of the Nation Address in Parliament last month.
Driven by Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the Asgisa initiative is
primarily aimed at accelerating the countryâs economic growth to six
percent.
Jipsa, in turn, aims to bring together social partners to act on immediate
and medium term skills needs in the economy particularly high level and artisan
skills.
Among the tactics that Jipsa is expected to utilise in turning the tide
against the skills shortfall over the next 18 months are: special training
programmes, luring back skilled South Africans now living abroad and bringing
retirees back into the workforce.
Minister Mdladlana today (Thursday) commended the Cabinetâs appointment of
Mr Mantashe to head Jipsaâs technical working group and for approving the
composition of the bodyâs task team which will be chaired by Deputy President
Mlambo-Ngcuka and is consisting of representatives from diverse groupings such
as government, youth, organised labour, academic institutions, gender, state
owned enterprises and science councils.
Minister Mdladlana said he had no doubt the new structures would help
enhance the governmentâs accelerated efforts to address the skills deficit,
thereby increasing the availability of workplace expertise in various
sectors.
âIâm also delighted at the Cabinetâs endorsement of integrating the needs of
people with disabilities into Jipsa activities,â Minister said.
A business plan on Jipsaâs activities over the next 18 months to tackle the
skills deficit is already in place.
Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela
Cell: 0828082168
Issued by: Department of Labour
9 March 2006
