The Minister of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Dr Blade Nzimande, and his Deputy, Mr Mduduzi Manana will officially declare 2013 as the Year of the Artisan at Tembisa in the East Rand on Monday 4th February.
In declaring 2013 as the “Year of the Artisan” the DHET aims to put into sharp focus the need for the production of artisans as part of the national strategy to deal with the shortage of critical skills in South Africa. About R1 trillion was announced for infrastructure projects in the President’s State of the Nation Address (SoNA) in 2012.
“Government views the production of artisans and other mid-level skills as a priority, and that is why we are investing all these billions into the development of our FET Colleges to turn them into institutions of choice, so that we will not have to import skills from other countries in order to deliver on our Strategic Infrastructure Projects”, Minister Nzimande said.
South Africa, did you know that:
- It is “cool” to be an Artisan, South Africa needs more Artisans for our economy to grow!
- To successfully deliver on the country’s Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIPs), we must “grow our own timber”, so that we do not import skills from other countries!
- Options within the Post-School Education and Training system are not limited to universities. Choose an FET College and become an Artisan!
- Unless we accelerate the training of artisans, their numbers will fall short of the demands of industry, and negatively affect both the country’s production and job creation.
- Through the RPL process, existing Artisans will get professional recognition and South Africa will have even more Artisans.
Media is invited to witness this launch:
Date: Monday, 4 February 2013
Time: 10h00 – 13h00
Venue: Ekurhuleni West FET College, Tembisa Campus.
The launch will be preceded by a visit to Tembisa High School by Deputy Minister Manana who will address the learners to promote artisanry as a career choice, kicking off a monthly programme for 2013 where he will visit provinces talking to learners about this post-school option.
“In the 2012 SoNA, President Zuma said that the massive investment in infrastructure must leave more than just power stations, rail lines, dams and roads. It must industrialise the country, generate skills and boost much needed job creation. We have heeded the President’s call and this initiative is part of our response as Higher Education and Training,” Mr Manana said.
RSVP and directions:
Zanda
Cell: 076 779 7828
Doc:
082 603 8417
Enquiries:
Vuyelwa Qinga
Cell: 076 883 4144
Tel: 012 312 5538/39
E-mail: Qinga.V@dhet.gov.za
