The ICT training authority will implement plans to address critical skills shortages in the sector, but the Department of Labour (DOL) says more needs to be done to address skills challenges.
While spending on training programmes has increased, along with registration numbers and learnership programmes, the performance of all Setas is still lacking, says the department.
Highlighting the Information Systems, Electronics and Telecommunications Technology Sector Education and Training Authority (Isett Seta) as one of the “better performing” authorities, the department says all have consistently failed to reach employment and training targets.
“While all Setas have now aligned their skills development interventions to the National Scarce Skills list, few have met our requirements,” says the department.
The DOL says, while training programmes are carried out, all Setas only average 50% employment. Isett Seta, however, says it has met requirements set out by the DOL and reprioritised its funding according to skills demands.
Of the critical skills training interventions required over the next three years, about 67% relate to ICT technical skills and about 15% to soft skills.
While no final budget allocations have been made yet, the authority is set to receive a portion of the R316 million for scarce and critical priority skills, and R300 million for priority trades from the National Skills Fund.
The DOL has also allocated R844 million for training programmes in all Setas for the next two years, while government has set aside R2.4 billion to fund initiatives dealing with the economic crisis through a National Jobs Fund.
Topping up
network and systems engineers, software engineers and computer systems technicians.
By March 2011, there will be a demand for around 4 547 learning programmes - over 1 400 of which will be learnerships, while another 458 will be internships. Demand for short courses and skills programmes are about 19% (862) and 10% (467), respectively, for 2011.
“While skill interventions required for the following two years are also significantly lower than what was forecast by stakeholders last year for the same periods, there is still cause for concern,” says Isett Seta.
While stating its focus would be on scarce technical skills, Isett Seta says it will also continue the business process outsourcing and off-shoring training grant. The DOL has committed more than R60 million, over a three-year period, for 12 440 workers. During the past four years, a total of R96 million was spent to train 4 357 learners in business process outsourcing. This trend is set to continue for the next three years, says Isett Seta.
Sweeping changes
The department says changes, which are being made to incorporate Setas into the Department of Higher Education, will not affect the national scarce skills programme.
“We are involved in discussions that are aimed at ensuring a smooth transition, to avoid possible loss of momentum... The work that flows from the transfer process of functions to the new department will not interrupt some of the processes currently under way that the law requires us to comply with,” says the DOL.
The process, which will include a review of the National Skills Authority, the Seta landscape and the National Skills Development Strategy, would only be completed after 2010. Government has stated it needs time to “apply its mind” to what changes need to be made and ensure the right results are reached.
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