Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe today, 2 April 2014, chaired the 14th Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) meeting at Sefako Mapogo Makgatho Presidential Guest House, Pretoria.
The HRDC is a national multi-tiered stakeholder advisory body established in 2010 under the leadership of the Deputy President and under the management of the Higher Education and Training Minister to build the human resource development base required to ensure a prosperous and inclusive South African Society and Economy.
The meeting received a report on the work done by the Technical Task Team on Enabling Entrepreneurship in the country. Council pledged its support for the recommendations specifically supporting SMMEs through business education and funding. Council also acknowledged the current challenges facing potential entrepreneurs in the country like the difficulty of accessing support including finance especially for people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Furthermore the council received an update on work done by the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) since its launch in July 2013. The Trust has done tremendous amount of work towards supporting the quality of education, in the following areas:
- Professionalising of teachers;
- Strengthening school districts;
- Improving leaner welfare; and
- Community involvement.
The council also received a presentation by the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa (NIASA) on skills required for the Nuclear Build Infrastructure programme. The nuclear industry requires more Artisans, engineers and technicians and these skills needs to be prioritised.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Council members thanked Deputy President Motlanthe as the Chairperson of the HRDC, for his strong leadership, wisdom and guidance since the establishment of council in 2010.
Enquiries:
Thabo Masebe
Cell: 082 410 8087
Brenda Ntombela
Cell: 082 573 3716
