SKILLS DEVELOPMENT TO FIGHT UNEMPLOYMENT AUGUST REPORT FOR PERIOD JANUARY TO JULY 2008

Gautrain provides many construction related training opportunities in its commitment to skills development and capacity building. This is of critical importance to the construction boom sweeping our country at present. This training equips candidates with practical on-the-job-training and qualifications recognised by the National Qualifications Authority and exposes them to a wider choice of jobs.

Trainees receive certificates from the Skills Education Training Authorities and the training fees are sponsored by the National Skills Fund (NSF). After the completion of their training (including apprenticeships and learnerships) they are either employed by Gautrain or any other project in need of skilled construction artisans.

Since construction started in September 2006, a total of 2 030 individuals have received training which exceeds the project’s initial targets. This is besides those trained by Bombela Concession Company and the many subcontractors. The following National Skills Fund training successes were achieved in July 2008:

• 185 Individuals received training
• 283 Training interventions were undertaken
• 42 Assessments, Recognition of Prior Learning assessments and gap skilling assessments were completed

Training to-date has been concentrated in the construction sector. The track laying, electrical, mechanical, operation and maintenance will be receiving increased attention from now on.

Three Electrical apprentices have commenced their training at the training centre at Pellindaba and a  further 35 Candidates have been identified in the electrical / mechanical field and their training will commence in this semester. They will be trained in the maintenance, operation and management of the feeder bus fleet.

Targets were achieved by implementing the following approach to training management:

• To revise the implementation schedule and monitor the results
• The use of on-site training rather than training at the training colleges
• Excellent co-operation between the NSF and Gautrain personnel involved in the training for the project
• Excellent backup and administrative support in managing accounts, training registers and personnel databases
• An emphasis on planning and management, to accommodate training and upskilling needs, skills gaps and gap filling and the meeting of industry needs such as operator training
• Extensive use of Recognition of Prior Learning and Learning Ability Assessments

An amount of about R23 million from the National Skills Fund was allocated to the Gautrain Project for training. This training initiative is over and above the training undertaken by the Bombela Concession Company as part of their commitments under the Concession Agreement. The project has achieved its target in terms of budget and has already trained more than 3x the planned number of people.

The Gautrain project and the National Skills Fund are showing how it is possible to bring large numbers of unemployed people into the job market through training coupled to employment. Once again, South Africa is finding ways to address uniquely South African problems.