Programme director, Mr Mthokozi Mchunu
Mayor of the Nkandla Local Municipality, Cllr ZO Zulu
Inkosi Zakhe Mpungose and other Amakhosi present
The Deputy Board Chairperson, Mr Michael Mokoena
The CEO of FIETA, Mr Simangaliso Mkhwanazi and staff
Representatives of various companies where learners were placed
Our distinguished guests graduating today, their families and friends
Ladies and gentlemen
It is a great pleasure for me to be here today to witness the fulfilment of this training programme which gives this group of young people a great opportunity for personal development and growth, and ability to participate in the economy.
Let me also take this opportunity to commend the Nkungumathe Youth Development Forum, led by its chairperson Mr Mthokozi Mchunu for initiating this programme and assisting the unemployed youth of this area to acquire essential skills training.
What I feel is particularly commendable about this project is that it is community driven and will benefit both the trainees and the people of this area. Much too often, people rely on the government for such services. We therefore need to applaud all those involved in this initiative, including the Nkungumathe Youth Development Forum and the FIETA SETA, for working together to enhance the chances of these young people to gain employment or self employment.
This area of Nkandla is known around the world because of one very famous citizen. We are excited today that there is another reason to be proud of this area as this innovative project should be emulated and replicated in other areas around the country.
Programme director, South Africa faces the enormous challenge of redressing the apartheid legacy of underdevelopment and an inferior education system. I have on several occasions cited statistics from research conducted by the Ford Foundation which shows that approximately 2.8 million of 18 to 24 year olds in our country are neither in employment, nor education or training. This implies that over 40% of our youth are not productively engaged. This is a huge wastage of human potential and a squandered opportunity for social and economic development. We are now striving to ensure that all the citizens of the country can become skilled and gainfully employed, and enjoy the benefits that were previously denied to them.
To achieve this, the Skills Development Act (SDA) was promulgated and implemented since 1998. The SDA provided for the establishment of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) which includes the Forest Industries Education and Training Authority (FIETA). A critical and integral part of the SDA is the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS), which aims to radically transform training and development in South Africa by improving both the quality and quantity of training to support increased competitiveness of industry and improved quality of life for all.
It is pleasing to know that there are activities happening, which is evident by what is transpiring today, to provide much needed training and skills development at various levels. This is occurring while various processes are underway around SETAs to ensure that they are more effective, accountable and better able to deliver on their mandates. This includes the drafting of NSDS 3, Transferring of Skills Development functions to the newly established Department of Higher Education and Training and the process of re-establishing SETA.
It is important to note that these types of projects are guided by the sector skills priorities and should be aligned with the SETA's strategic objectives. Ultimately, it should support the objectives of the NSDS and the national socio-economic imperatives of the country. FIETA is one of 23 sector education and training authorities (SETAs) across the economy mandated by the SDA to put the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) into practice.
The SETA's function is to promote, facilitate and incentivise skills development in the Forestry sector in the interests of a more professional sector and a more competitive South Africa. A Skills programme can therefore be a highly effective way for learners to get a NQF qualification while working full time and gaining experience in their chosen field of study.
We are here today to witness 88 learners who have completed their three month training courses in cabinet making, upholstery, furniture polishing and truss manufacturing. These are basic but essential skills which can help these young people earn a living and help the community in home improvement and renovations.
The learners who have completed these credit bearing skills programmes will benefit in terms of the NQF principles of portability and articulation. I am informed that FIETA is also committed to supporting these learners in starting new business es through the New Venture Creation Learnerships to set up businesses in cabinet making and coffin making, etc. Graduating from this programme also allows you entry to a more technical level at NQF level 3 and eventually to complete the full qualification.
It is further pleasing to know that the industry association has played a role and learners with this certificate carry currency into employment. The strengthening of relations between FET colleges, training providers and SETAs would undoubtedly ensure that the training is delivered as required.
To those graduating today, I encourage you to work hard and persevere in this lifelong learning opportunity. I hope that with the new skills and learning you have acquired, you will assist us to build a very strong economy and stable country. I also urge you to provide strong leadership to encourage others in your community to embark on such training so that they too have a chance for a better life.
Programme director, I would like to encourage you and the Nkungumathe Youth Development Forum to expand this programme and assist more young people sitting at home to gain skills and training. I would also like to commend the efforts of the SETA staff for the hard work in putting the project together with the employers and the providers. Although this project may seem small in light of the enormity of our skills development challenges, it contributes towards achieving the objectives of the NSDS and our government's job creation programme. The commitment and hard work from everyone involved in this programme makes us extremely proud.
Once again, let me express my appreciation to be invited to this special occasion and to witness this ceremony marking the successful completion of part of a lifelong journey to acquire skills and knowledge. Achievement of any national qualification brings a great sense of joy to every hard worker, to your families and to your community.
To the graduates, congratulations! Your completion of this programme shows learner commitment to our mission for a skills revolution. I wish you every success for the future.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Higher Education and Training
15 December 2009
Source: Department of Education (http://www.education.gov.za/)
