/ 9 May 2011

Blade reaches transformation agreement with Setas

Blade Reaches Transformation Agreement With Setas

Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has reached agreement with the Sector Education and Training Authorities [Seta] Forum on transforming the Seta landscape.

Agreement was also reached on the urgent need to develop an adequate skills base that seeks to promote economic growth and development in South Africa, his office said in a statement on Monday.

“Meeting in Rosebank, Johannesburg today, the department and the Setas developed and agreed on a joint declaration that fully endorses the minister’s new vision for the post-school landscape and overall transformation of the Setas,” it said.

The declaration stated: “the forum fully endorses the minister’s new vision: We reiterate that we will cooperate with the minister and continue to engage him on all transformation matters, including the proposed changes to the Seta landscape.”

The forum further re-affirmed that whatever differences might arise from time to time, the legal route to resolve these was a hindrance to progress.

Forum chairperson Joel Dikgole, said the forum “fully support the minister’s transformation processes. We are fully aware that the Seta sector needs urgent transformation to cope with critical shortages of skills and resource training of our people”.

He reiterated the forum’s support for the appointment of independent chairs as proposed by Nzimande.

Furthermore, the forum welcomed the opportunity to engage with the department on matters of skills development, and distanced itself from the ongoing case at the Labour Court between the department and the Services Seta, he said.

Nzimande restated the department’s goal to restructure the post-school terrain to achieve the overall objective of skills development, employment creation and eradication of poverty.

“The department commits itself to continue to engage and consult with all relevant stakeholders and institutions in pursuit of this goal,” Nzimande said. — Sapa