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Passing the buck, not the Bill

Business Unity South Africa has voiced grave concerns about the delays in passing the Immigration Bill, warning that this could derail government's multimillion-rand infrastructure programmes. Changes to the Immigration Amendment Bill, aimed at easing obstacles in the importation of scarce skills to deal with the increasing demand on the country's infrastructure development, were approved by the National Assembly in November last year.

The sectors most at risk

The first national master scarce skills list -- released by the Labour Department recently -- logs a comprehensive number of skills that are needed by the country if it is to overcome obstacles that hamper economic growth and, in so doing, undermine job creation.

Toolmaking in dire straits

South Africa's expanding economy and the widening gap left by experienced toolmakers who have left the industry have resulted in a dire need for students in this field. Every manufacturer in South Africa needs tools, yet the industry is battling to attract young blood.

Getting the job done

Who is responsible for developing skills in South Africa? Big business or government? With the new Immigration Amendment Act that comes into operation at the end of this year, the issue of skills development and importing skilled people from foreign countries will be highlighted again.

Making a difference

Fasset -- the sector education training authority (Seta) for finance, accounting, management consulting and other financial services -- has achieved a 100% placement rate, which is 29% higher than the 71% Seta average for placement into employment or income- generating projects within three months after completing training.

Seta results a big blow for government

Almost 80% of learners who registered for sector education and training authority learnerships did not finish their training courses, according to the department of labour's latest implementation report on skills development. The report, released for the first time during last week's national skills development conference, shows that only 16 507 out of 87 687 of the registered learners, mostly unemployed youth, completed their training from April 2005 to March 2007.

Realising local potential

We read often about the skills revolution initiated by the democratic government in South Africa since 1994. And, 13 years into democracy, it is important to revisit the notion and see where and whether the revolution has taken place. Careful analysis of South Africa's human resource development strategy shows that in many respects it is one of the most ambitious and best of any country in the world.

Creating new opportunities

The government's Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa has identified skilled artisans and vocational skills as critical for sustained economic growth. The new curriculum for further education and training colleges that will lead to National Certificate (Vocational) qualifications is a comprehensive and coordinated response to this skills development agenda.

Affirmative action's downside

A political case for affirmative action is easily made. To ensure white dominance in politics, economics and every aspect of South African life, the apartheid regime enacted laws aimed at holding blacks back. Blacks were effectively blocked from assuming positions of authority. Prior to the new dispensation, no amount of merit enabled blacks to advance.

Tapping into the tourism trade

Tourism is a top economic performer in South Africa, but there are growing concerns that the country will not be able to deliver the necessary skills to further boost the industry, especially with the 2010 Soccer World Cup approaching. According to South African Tourism CEO Moeketsi Mosola, the skills shortage is the biggest challenge facing the sector.