DPE clarifies clarion call for skilled engineers to help Eskom
In his Budget Vote speech on 20th May 2022, the Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, referred to the lack of engineering and technical skills at State-owned enterprises including Eskom. The experienced engineers and technical skills were mainly hollowed out as a result of State Capture and corruption over the years.
Solidary wrote to the Minister to offer its assistance in identifying skilled personnel.
Before and after the Budget Vote speech, there have been similar offers of assistance. One such example is the establishment of the Ministerial Review Task Team.
Government has been soliciting the inputs of many organisations and professionals to assist in identifying individuals who can come back to Eskom and help to get the old power stations back in order and mentor younger managers.
To repeat, The Minister did not approach Solidarity. He simply made a call to all organisations, including the social partners, for skilled personnel regardless of race to avail themselves to be placed at Eskom.
Various professional and business organisations have responded and offered to assist in this regard.
It is a pity that Solidarity and some in the media are politicising this issue in the midst of a crisis that Government is working very hard to address.
Now is the time to work together, without any partisan interests, and assist and support an earnest group of power station managers to improve the performance of the power stations.
Eskom will follow its own internal Human Resources policies and processes to ensure that the appropriate engineers who possess the best skills and experience are hired.
For Media Enquiries contact Richard.mantu@dpe.gov.za or 012 431 1203
