1. PROGRESS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE “SKILLS PLANNING UNIT” PARLIAMENTARY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING 06 SEPTEMBER 2017
Dr SNP Sishi
4/19/2018

2. INTRODUCTION
Purpose: To share information about progress regarding the establishment of the skills planning unit
Actions required: To note and discuss the presentation, and provide feedback thereon
Specific Issues: Vision, Purpose and Functions of unit + outputs + coordination
4/19/2018

3. BACKGROUND
White Paper for Post-School Education and Training (PSET) commits the Department to establish a ‘central unit for skills planning’ as part of vision of ‘building an expanded, effective and integrated post-school system’ for the country.
The skills planning unit (SPU) is expected to facilitate a shift in the Department’s approach to planning, which is currently largely supply-driven, to a more responsive and demand driven model of planning.
MTSF commits DHET to establish a mechanism for skills planning
4/19/2018

4. DHET ACTIONS
Research undertaken: LMIP + EU-SA Dialogue Facility on Skills Planning
Established Inter-Branch Committee for Skills Planning
Developed List of Occupations in High Demand (2014; 2016)
Developed Concept Note for establishment of SPU
Obtained in-principle funding commitment from NSF
Initiated meetings with key government departments on LMIP
4/19/2018

5. DHET ACTIONS : BUSINESS PLAN FOR UNIT
Business Plan for the Unit provides info on ffg:
Rationale, Policy imperatives, Purpose, Vision
Roles, functions and outputs of the SPU
Monitoring of the performance of the SPU
Linkages between the SPU and stakeholders
Organogram of the SPU
Personnel and Operational Budget for SPU
Service Delivery Model for the SPU
Business Processes of the SPU
Detailed Job Descriptions for each post
4/19/2018

6. VISION, PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE UNIT
Vision: To improve the responsiveness of PSET System to the developmental needs of society and to the needs of the economy
Purpose: To mange planning and monitoring for the post-school education and training system
Functions:
To conduct research and analysis of the labour market
To undertake planning for the PSET system
To monitor and report on the performance and funding of the PSET system
To undertake strategic planning and reporting for DHET
4/19/2018

7. KEY OUTPUTS OF THE UNIT List of Occupations in High Demand
List of priority occupations and qualifications
Recommendations for priority interventions (eg enrolment planning, bursaries, infrastructure support, lecturer development, career info..)
PSET System Plan
Steering mechanisms for skills planning (eg policies, frameworks, regulations, circulars),
Research reports, Policy briefs, sector briefs and policy advice
Models for skills forecasting
Methodologies to identify skills needs
Reports on engagements with national and provincial stakeholders
PSET system Monitoring Reports
DHET Strategic Plan and APP + Reports
4/19/2018

8. IMMEDIATE OUTCOMES OF UNIT
The Unit will ensure
That information and insights into skills supply and demand are available to all stakeholders and the public in general
That skills (occupations, qualifications and competencies) required for the medium to long term are identified and published
That information on occupational shortages is shared with Dept of Home Affairs
That appropriate interventions required to deal with skills needs (short, medium and long term) are identified and communicated
That opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in identified localities are researched and communicated to relevant stakeholders .
4/19/2018

9. NAME OF UNIT: PSET SYSTEM PLANNING AND MONITORING UNIT
Reasons why not called SPU
The idea of a PSET System Planning and Monitoring Unit reflects the notion of an integrated education and training system, while the idea of a Skills Planning Unit represents only the training component of the PSET system. Accordingly, the Unit will undertake planning for the integrated PSET system (not only skills)
The skills levy system, comprising SETAs, NSA and NSF, not only supports and facilitates the provision of training programmes (namely, skills development), but also supports the formal education of learners and students through the provision of bursaries, and student internships for University and College graduates.
Universities, Technical Colleges and Community Colleges currently do offer programmes that lead, not only to education development, but also to skills development.
The notion of skills embedded in the idea of PSET, since “training” embodies the notion of skills.
4/19/2018

10. CURRENT STATUS
Job descriptions have been submitted to the HR Unit for job evaluations.
Business Case has been submitted to the NSF to confirm funding of Units.
A research Plan for Labour Market Research has been developed, and funding procured in principle
Business Plan has been sent to DPME for feedback
4/19/2018

11. NEXT STEPS
Business Plan will be presented to Planning Commission + NSA + SETAs + MTSF Delivery Forum
Unit will be established as posts get filled
Operational Plan for the unit will be developed as soon as key posts are filled.
Unit will take over the work of the LMIP Project from 1 April 2018.
Business Case will be submitted to Minister, Treasury and DPSA for organogram changes and sustainable funding
Policy on PSET system Planning will be finalised by March 2019
4/19/2018

12. THANK YOU
4/19/2018