Dennis George, general secretary of the Federation of Unions of South Africa, speaks to Vuyo Sokupa about the union’s joint initiative with the Gauteng department of public works and transport, and the Expanded Public Works Programme.
This initiative sounds very appropriate, in that it meets the objectives set out by the Asgisa and Jipsa drives. Can you explain how it will all work?
This is a very important project in terms of the presidential initiatives. We have a problem in South Africa because the average age of our artisans is 48 and those who wish to enter this industry lack the experience. We need to increase the numbers of people in both learnerships and apprenticeship pathways in order to meet or exceed two to three times the proposed Jipsa target of 50 000 by March 2010. This is also in line with the plan to halve poverty and unemployment by 2014.
How do the matriculants and graduates fit into this plan?
Our aim is to enrol the students in learnership or apprenticeship programmes at different government departments while they are studying. These individuals will over the next three years be trained as fitters, petrol and diesel mechanics, boilermakers, welders and millwrights. They will be sent to one of the 50 further education training colleges across the country.
The requirements are not exclusive; all the individual needs is to be a South African citizen, have a valid identity document, be between 18 and 45 years of age and have a minimum qualification of N3 or grade 12. But we will also accept applications from trained and qualified artisans and they will receive financial and management skills.
Is this a pilot project, because it seems to be Gauteng specific?
One could say so, but it really came about when the department of public works in Gauteng approached us with this idea. We hope that in our provincial branches a similar partnership will form so that this can be developed into a national project.
How far into the project are you now and when do you hope to enrol the individuals?
We are busy with the selection process, going through the CVs and hopefully conducting interviews soon so that within the next six weeks the applicants can be enrolled in the colleges.
After the three years of training, will the students be under any contractual obligation to work for a specified employer?
The individuals will receive monthly training allowances, but will have no contractual obligations to work for specified employers after the training. Once their training contract is finished, there will be a big demand for these kinds of skilled people. As an example, last year Fedusa took 54 learners under an administration learnership and when the year was almost finished they had better offers on their plates. Once you have skills, those are the golden keys into entering the labour market.
Which government departments and private sector companies have pledged their support for your project?
The department of health and the department of public works and transport mainly, but we are hopeful that the project will gain momentum and spread through to the private sector.