for 2010
30 October 2007
Plans to recruit and train emergency personnel in preparation for the 2010
soccer world cup are advancing well in the province with the emergency medical
rescue college being chosen by the national department to train emergency
personnel from Free State and Northern Cape provinces including South African
National Defence Force (SANDF) and Southern African Development Community
(SADC) countries.
The college, which is based in Stilfontein, is the first to implement a
national programme this year introduced by the national department aimed at
improving the functioning of emergency services in the country. Emergency Care
Technician (ECT) is a new advanced programme introduced by the national
department to be implemented by EMRS colleges in the country.
The programme (Emergency Care Technician) is a two year subsidised diploma
course aimed to advance training of emergency personnel in preparation of the
2010 world cup. The course is subsidised by the national department. Currently
the province has 798 emergency personnel dispatched in all the districts to
attend to medical emergencies. As part of the plans to improve the functioning
of emergency medical services in the province, the emergency college is also
relocating to bigger premises to increase intake of students.
As the largest employer of emergency care workers, the national department
has committed itself fully to develop the ECT qualification. So far, five
provincial emergency care colleges have been earmarked to start the new
qualification this year. North West is one of the few to introduce the
programme this year.
Two ECT programmes will be run parallel to each other. One will cater for
employees of the department and the other for community learners. Given the
challenges many of our employee learners face, the department will also
consolidate current in-service programmes into a rapid-access learning
programme to be called Imvume. The Imvume programme will focus on various
areas, which include communication and writing skills, basic sciences, medical
and rescue skills, personal wellness as well as applied technology.
Each employee who wishes to enrol into the ECT programme will be assessed
for his or her readiness to enter. Should the employee need further mastering
of basic skills and knowledge a personal development plan will be drafted to
make use the Imvume opportunities. Given that Imvume will cover some of the
credits for the qualification, participating employees will enjoy exemption
from certain modules when they enter the ECT programme.
The ECT application and selection process is managed within provinces.
Together with EMRS operations, labour and the provincial college learners are
screened and recommended for the programme. Opportunities are expected to
increase form approximately 500 placements in 2007 to 18 001 placements by
2010. Imvume will operate as an open learning programme supported in part by
distance learning technologies. Currently the college has admitted 26 students
this year, which is expected to increase to 200 next year.
Emergency Care Technician is two year tertiary course which covers computer
training, HIV and AIDS counselling, emergency medical care, medical rescue
(vehicle rescue, rope rescue and fire and search rescue). Learners work on
response vehicles and ambulances in the province when they qualify. After
completion of their studies, learners will work two years in the province as
operational emergency technicians.
Only three colleges in the country have been accredited to start with the
ECT training. New premises of the college will be officially opened on 20
November at Stilfontein. "Its part of our plans to improve the functioning of
the emergency service in preparation for the 2010 soccer world cup and beyond.
Earlier this year we made a commitment to the legislature to provide adequate
training for emergency personnel and I am optimistic that the college is ready
to provide that service," MEC Nomonde Rasmeni said.
Enquiries:
Mr Lwandile Sicwetsha
Tel: 018 387 5740
Cell: 079 8736400
Issued by: Department of Health, North West Provincial Government
30 October 2007
