delivery of priority skills
20 November 2007
Further Education and Training colleges are central to the delivery of
priority skills needed in South Africa, according to the Minister of Education,
Naledi Pandor. Ms Pandor was addressing the fourth FET college's achiever
awards ceremony organised by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) in
Cape Town last night (Monday, 19 November 2007).
"This award ceremony is held at a time when the expectations and pressure
for the expanded delivery of vocational education in South Africa, in Africa
and worldwide has never been higher," she said.
She said that FET colleges were central to the delivery of priority skills
needed to ensure access and participation in the country's growing economy. FET
colleges are changing to meet these needs.
"Having merged 150 technical colleges into 50 FET colleges with multiple
sites over the past five years, we need to ensure that they offer excellent
programmes and training to their students."
The government has committed R1,9 billion over five years to recapitalise
FET colleges across the country. The project in the Western Cape so far has
included upgrading 40 campus sites, 96 classrooms and 23 student resource
centres and the construction of three computer laboratories.
South Africa has introduced new National Certificate (Vocational) (NC [V])
programmes that will replace the old Nated programmes. The Western Cape has
introduced 11 new vocational programmes this year, specifically designed to
meet the needs of the local economy, as part of this initiative. Students
following the programmes can progress to higher education, employment, or
become entrepreneurs.
The Treasury has set aside R600 million over three years for the Department
of Education FET colleges Bursary Scheme to improve access to FET. FET colleges
are administering the bursaries. Over 12 500 students registered at NC (V)
Level 2 have been awarded bursaries, Ms Pandor said. This is almost half of the
students registered for NC (V) programmes at FET colleges in 2007. More than 1
500 out of 3 222 NC (V) students in the Western Cape have received
bursaries.
Ms Pandor thanked all role players for ensuring the success of FET colleges,
including lecturers, staff, donors and sponsors, both locally and
internationally. FET colleges "are ready to play a dynamic role in closing then
skills gaps in South Africa, in offering young people real opportunities to
learn new skills and to create new jobs and establish their own
enterprises."
The objectives of the FET Achiever of the Year Awards are to recognise and
reward excellence, commitment dedication, hard work and achievement. They
recognise best practice in the various categories of the awards.
The following FET college staff members received awards:
Lecturers of the year:
* Fundamental Studies: Rogan Pedro, West Coast College, Vredendal
Campus
* General Studies: Catherine Conradie, South Cape College, George Campus
* Business Studies: Chaleen October, Boland College, Paarl Campus
* Engineering Studies: Frans Jooste, Boland College, Worcester Campus
Support staff of the year:
* General Assistance and Maintenance: Johan Uys, Factotum, South Cape
College, George Campus
* Administration: Tersia Pool: Learner Support Co-ordinator, Boland College,
Caledon Campus
Managers of the year:
* Academic: Pat Lawrence, Head of Department, Electrical Division, Northlink
College, Belhar
* Campus Support Services: Esna Barnard, Campus Manager, West Coast College,
Vredendal Campus
* Social Responsibility Project of the year: Northlink College
* Innovative Project of the year: College of Cape Town
* Excellence in Leadership: Ebrahim Peters, Senior Manager, Engineering
Studies, Northlink College, Bellville Campus
* Lifetime Achievement: the late Jan Bester, Retired Senior Deputy Principal,
College of Cape Town, City Campus
Enquiries:
Paddy Attwell
Director of Communications
Cell: 083 261 7699
Issued by: Department of Education
20 November 2007
