1. NATIONAL SKILLS CONFERENCE
COMMISSION 2 Feedback
TVET Pathways 1

2. Pathways (Threats) Opportunities - Dr P Jacobs
Soft & digital skills key to employment 21st Century
TVET (system) key to linking learners to employment
Poor critical problem solving competence a major threat
Fragmented and poor curriculum need urgent attention
Cost Effective Quality Pathways – Ms A Itzkin
Tripartite process required: College+ SETA+ Employer
Involve Labour and community structures.
Employer led curriculum linked to work sites
Involve guest industry lecturers – real world 2

3. Public NATED Learner Pathways – Mr T McBride
17% carry on learning beyond NATED
52% find employment
Earnings between R 3000 – R 1000 a month.
90% of unemployed NATED learners still looking for work
Artisan Learner Pathways – Ms B Akoobai
73% employed + 6% self employed = 79% employment
74% of those employed are on permanent contract
Most seem to earn more than R a month
Many small artisan business start with very little capital 3

4. Summary of Commission Comments
Community Colleges are being ignored in the emphasis of the TVET system
Good foundations are required for TVET students in subjects such as Maths
Discussions focused on academic research rather than what SA needs practically
Research should be undertaken on why 18m youth confront the burden of poverty
ILO future of work conference stressed new skills needs in 21st C economy
Apprenticeship system momentum in the country should be supported fully
Policy change required entry requirements into HEI for NSC vs NCV L4 graduates
Employability of NATED dependent on urban vs rural divide, many move to urban
Don’t offer learning in a college for which there are no workplaces in the area
Appeal from Military Veterans for inclusion and support in TVET system
Increase dedicated funding for WPBL and infrastructure
Concern that SAIVCET not moving fast enough to improve curriculum 4

5. Summary of Commission Comments
The concept of centres of excellence should fall away - transform full system
Quality of Lecturers at TVET Colleges is a HUGE opportunity
Lecturers should be exposed to workplaces in working hours
Lectures must have problem solving skills to teach them
Weak teachers make weak learners (COMET study proof)
Introduction much more simulated lecturer training environments
Need for dedicated TVET Lecturer institution
Youth Involvement should be increased at decision-making levels
Skills transfer as a requirement for foreigners in SA not happening
SOCs should also open up greater numbers of workplaces
TVET Governance structures are not involved in the decision making
Systemic interventions to develop entrepreneurs for job creation
WPBL (WIL) to be further explored to find innovative ways for implementation
WPBL Regulation Policy gap to be urgently closed by DHET 5

6. Summary of Commission Comments
Train with a job or skill in mind not a certificate
Lt of natural resources, good people but system to sophisticated
Should not utilize 1st world methodology but look at 3rd world countries
Accelerate RPL to contribute to the development of artisans per annum
Recycling - Duplicated learning incredible waste of resources
Scrap SETA based Workplace approval systems – adds no value
Simply allow every workplace to become a training space
Destination of private College NATED learners nor researched
Fragmented data is major system impediment
Create single HR database across DBE - DHET – DoL – DOHA
Stop importing skills and develop unemployed
Leverage EPW programmes such those for ECD
Include are sectors such as those in correctional services. 6

7. Key Recommendation Summary
Implementation required – not talk shops….
Space for Community Colleges to engage in future
Start with employer … train for a job or skill
Dedicated TVET Lecturer Training Facility
Scrap SETA workplace approval system
Close out the WPBL Regulation Policy Gap
Single HR Database DBE-DHET-DoL-DOHA 7

8. Thank You For Listening “IT’S COOL TO BE A 21ST CENTURY
APPRENTICE ”
Thank You For Support and Commitment
“IT’S COOL TO BE A 21ST CENTURY ARTISAN” 8