1. PROJECTS funded by discretionary grants.
Financial Services Charter Learnerships , past and present at Prestasi…
PROJECTS funded by discretionary grants.
CHALLENGES selecting and recruiting the best candidates.
EXPERIENCES coaching and mentoring essential.
TARGETS 1.7% of payroll towards training of black employees and 4.5% total staff to be black matriculants.
SECTOR SKILLS PLAN Scarce skills

2. PROJECT Discretionary Grant Project from INSETA
R500, “Educating the Community on Insurance’
50 C.I.D.A City Campus (Community Individual Development Association)
students – 4 yr BBA Degree.
Educated over 3500 people at Churches, schools and workplaces.
All 50 students want to enter into Learnerships.
Currently have 2 on Learnership with a further 12 on waiting list for 2004/5!

3. CHALLENGES
Select suitable candidates who will be employed at end of Learnership.
Conduct SPEEX Tests to test for potential and suitability for clerical or selling positions.
Get buy-in and commitment from branches to train and develop them .
Mentorship and Coaching essential.
Students need additional support and assistance – more than just at work

4. EXPERIENCES
Recruited 4 INSPREP students in 2003, 400hrs workplace experience needed to complete Learnership.
Placed learners at 2 local branches and the Client Care Centre.
Employed 2 permanently and 2 on contract for further 3 months, then terminated.

5. CHARTER TARGETS
Each Financial Institution will employ up to 4.5% of total staff in the form of black matriculants, targeted recruitment is needed.
Invest in human resource development across full spectrum of skills and all levels.
1.5% of Payroll to be spent on skills development of black employees
(over and above skills levies).

6. SECTOR SKILLS PLAN Employment Equity remains a challenge.
@ 2 June 2003, vacancies for clerks were 20.3%
Actuaries are very scarce in SA - virtually no black actuaries.
Scarce generic skills in our sector:
Analytical, Financial regulations, report writing, Communication, management and Leadership, Customer service, Literacy and motivational skills.
Learnerships address these skills and more!
Source: State of Skills in SA DoL.

7. CONCLUSION We need to invest in human resource development .
Recruit matriculants for registered Learnerships.
Ensure mentorship and coaching is in place.
Try and achieve the targets by 2008.
Support our sector skills plan.
Vivienne Delaney