Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) with Construction Education and Training
(CETA)
18 February 2009
Eastern Cape Public Works MEC Christian Martin signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the Construction Education and Training Authority
(CETA). At the core of the MoU's agenda are issues relating to Public Works and
CETA's co-operation in extending construction skills development opportunities
to both employed and unemployed people within the Eastern Cape.
The MoU's objectives speak to the aims of the Skills Development Act of
1998. The act aspires to develop the skills of the South African workforce and
to improve the quality of life of workers and their prospects of work; to
improve productivity in the workplace and the competitiveness of employers and
to promote self-employment.
Already 170 learners are being signed up for ABET training in order to halve
illiteracy in terms of the National Skills Development Strategy and United
Nations targets. In addition, dozens of learners will commence training in
scarce building skills. CETA will continue to work closely with Public Works in
terms of the Expanded Public Works Programme and Accelerated Professional and
Trade Competency Development (APTCoD) programmes.
MEC Martin said the Department of Public Work's commitment to skills
development is reflected in APTCoD, "which is specifically designed to address
the challenge of skills shortage and to empower the youth of the province
within the built environment".
APTCoD focuses on unemployed technical graduates as well as trainee artisans
from various institutions of higher learning, including FET Colleges that the
Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with.
CETA Eastern Cape regional manager Lance Ledingham commented by saying: "The
signing of this MoU is part of a broader strategy by CETA and the Department of
Public Works to achieve the National Skills Development Strategy targets to
ensure sufficient skills for the construction sector not only within the
Eastern Cape but South Africa as a whole. Further MoUs are planned for other
government departments in the Eastern Cape in the future."
Issued by: Department of Public Works, Eastern Cape Provincial
Government
18 February 2009
Source: Department of Public Works, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
(http://www.ecprov.gov.za/)
