On Friday, 27 June 2014, the Human Resource Development (HRD) Provincial Coordination Forum held its meeting at Protea Assurance Building in Green Market Square, Cape Town.
The aim of the forum is for provinces to share progress on the implementation of the provincial HRD imperatives as well as challenges experienced in the process of implementation. It is also a platform where the provinces report their achievements and initiatives that are being driven to address provincial HRD initiatives.
During the meeting there was a general consensus on challenges that provinces experience which include:
- The need to have good coordination of information between key stakeholders within the province
- Strengthening partnerships with such stakeholders to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of HRD work in the provinces.
Most of the provinces are continuing to push for successful delivery on artisan development projects in order to ensure adequate skills supply both for their current projects and for the various Strategic Infrastructure Projects which are linked to the Presidential infrastructure projects led by Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC).
Top of the agenda was the Western Cape province presenting its highlights, which included production of skills for both artisan and other skills in the following key priority areas:
- Green economy
- Design Skills
- Broadband
- Oil and gas
- Career Awareness
Among the many achievements of the province, is the flagship project for 2014/15 focusing on ensuring artisan and other skills required to ensure successful delivery for the Saldanha Bay oil and Gas infrastructure development project.
The Western Cape model for coordination and implementation of human resource development initiatives was applauded as an example of good practice that should be used by other provinces in order to ensure that projects are owned, not just by government but by all relevant social partners functioning within the province.
The hands-on approach of the Premier was seen as an advantage and a big contributor to this success. For this province the premier is the champion for skills development and HRD initiatives and projects.
KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape were recommended by the meeting as examples of good coordination. These provinces were also used as good examples of how participation of key stakeholders can be enhanced to ensure not only serious ownership of human resource development initiatives but accountability in terms of funding and addressing any identified challenges.
Most of the provinces are currently working hard at strengthening their Early Childhood Development initiatives by implementing measures to ensure qualified teachers and adequate resources.
The HRDC is a national multi-tiered stakeholder advisory body established in 2010 under the leadership of the Deputy President. It is managed by the Minister of Higher Education and Training. Its main purpose is to determine the national HRD agenda, advice government on all matters relating to Human resource development, and monitor implementation of agreed HRD priorities and plans.
The next meeting will be hosted by the Eastern Cape province in September 2014.
Enquiries:
Brenda Ntombela, Head of the HRDC Secretariat
Cell: 082 573 3716
Tel: 012 312 5075
E-mail: Ntombela.b@dhet.gov.za
