Commission two: Mass skills development delivery for productivity, employment, growth and development

Macro Issues raised Need for shared understanding of definitions and a clear consultative process for changing legislation Need for shared understanding of definitions and a clear consultative process for changing legislation There is a need to accept that skills development cannot address issues of unemployment There is a need to accept that skills development cannot address issues of unemployment It was also emphasised that the ‘massification’ of skills cannot directly lead to productivity improvements It was also emphasised that the ‘massification’ of skills cannot directly lead to productivity improvements The driver of the NSDS should be that the majority of South Africans are living in poverty The driver of the NSDS should be that the majority of South Africans are living in poverty

Approach adopted to addressing the mass delivery of skills As part of resolution from this conference it was argued that there is a need to consider whether substantive changes in the skills invironment are required – this should be done in a manner that harnesses gains and addresses weaknesses As part of resolution from this conference it was argued that there is a need to consider whether substantive changes in the skills invironment are required – this should be done in a manner that harnesses gains and addresses weaknesses It was argued that we cant just ‘tinker’ with the system – need to address integration of education and training imperative It was argued that we cant just ‘tinker’ with the system – need to address integration of education and training imperative It was further emphasised that skills development must be located within the context of other components of the system It was further emphasised that skills development must be located within the context of other components of the system It is therefore understood that this strategy should be part of an integrated plan from DoE and DoL It is therefore understood that this strategy should be part of an integrated plan from DoE and DoL

Nature of the strategy The strategy to ensure the mass delivery of skills should be nuanced and accommodate different contexts (3 spheres of government) The strategy to ensure the mass delivery of skills should be nuanced and accommodate different contexts (3 spheres of government) The needs of different sectors should inform the NSDS The needs of different sectors should inform the NSDS There is also a need to have differences in terms of size of enterprise (and take into account co-ops) There is also a need to have differences in terms of size of enterprise (and take into account co-ops) Further the needs of the workplace versus community should be disaggregated and the implications taken into account Further the needs of the workplace versus community should be disaggregated and the implications taken into account Should have clear and simple objectives that can be monitored in terms of impact Should have clear and simple objectives that can be monitored in terms of impact These objectives should balance numbers with quality These objectives should balance numbers with quality

Importance of Forecasting to guide the increase in provision Need to address imbalance in supply and demand Need to address imbalance in supply and demand Should train in areas of demand – this should be carried out in a manner that allows people to be trained for the economy Should train in areas of demand – this should be carried out in a manner that allows people to be trained for the economy Should improve the manner in which Workplace Skills are undertaken and consider other mechanisms for improving our ability to determine demand Should improve the manner in which Workplace Skills are undertaken and consider other mechanisms for improving our ability to determine demand

Programmes Required There is a need for clear learning pathways There is a need for clear learning pathways Programmes should take into account the needs emerging within different sectors and contexts (such as SMEs/co- operatives) Programmes should take into account the needs emerging within different sectors and contexts (such as SMEs/co- operatives) Training should address different target groups (existing employees as well as new entrants, pre-employed and unemployed) Training should address different target groups (existing employees as well as new entrants, pre-employed and unemployed) There should also be different requirements for the workplace (emphasis on formal programmes) versus the community (formal as well as less formal programme could form part of community development initiatives as well as initiatives such as the Expanded Public Works Programme) There should also be different requirements for the workplace (emphasis on formal programmes) versus the community (formal as well as less formal programme could form part of community development initiatives as well as initiatives such as the Expanded Public Works Programme)

Institutional Landscape Important to consider the role that different institutions can play and the way that these institutions can work together Important to consider the role that different institutions can play and the way that these institutions can work together It was agreed that there is a need to explore the role of the FET Colleges and expand the role that they play It was agreed that there is a need to explore the role of the FET Colleges and expand the role that they play There is also a need to ensure that the HE institutions enable progression There is also a need to ensure that the HE institutions enable progression There is also a need to consider the ESDAs and the role that these can play in this institutional landscape There is also a need to consider the ESDAs and the role that these can play in this institutional landscape

Other support services required Recognition for Prior Learning is seen as critical and needs to be given increased momentum Recognition for Prior Learning is seen as critical and needs to be given increased momentum There is a need for guidance and placement programmes There is a need for guidance and placement programmes

Funding There is a need to explore existing funding mechanisms There is a need to explore existing funding mechanisms There was a view that there should be a consideration as to whether the levy should increase. It is recommended that Mandatory Grant should decrease to increase the Discretionary Grant so that we can more effectively steer the system. There was a view that there should be a consideration as to whether the levy should increase. It is recommended that Mandatory Grant should decrease to increase the Discretionary Grant so that we can more effectively steer the system. Should be different criteria and disbursement mechanisms across contexts (this should include a broader understanding of ‘employability’ and should allow for a more streamlined process) Should be different criteria and disbursement mechanisms across contexts (this should include a broader understanding of ‘employability’ and should allow for a more streamlined process) Need to determine who pays for what and develop models of shared costing Need to determine who pays for what and develop models of shared costing

Role of Stakeholders There is a need for a review of which stakeholders should be part of process There is a need for a review of which stakeholders should be part of process Clear roles should be allocated to stakeholders and mechanisms to ensure accountability once these roles are agreed upon Clear roles should be allocated to stakeholders and mechanisms to ensure accountability once these roles are agreed upon It is noted that within the groups there were very divergant understandings of the role of each of the stakeholders It is noted that within the groups there were very divergant understandings of the role of each of the stakeholders It was also noted that there are stakeholder forums at national level but that there are also now provincial forums It was also noted that there are stakeholder forums at national level but that there are also now provincial forums

Thank You