Creating employment opportunities for youth

South Africa’s unemployment rate has hit a 13-year high with youth unemployment now considered to be chronic. One of the biggest contributing factors to these staggering statistics, is a clear mismatch between the skills employers are looking for and the skills with which the education system equips college graduates.

This is where the Dual System Pilot Project seeks to make a difference. It combines theory and practical training offered by TVET Colleges with paid workplace-based training in companies, just as in an apprenticeship. This approach aims to create employment opportunities for the youth.

It can achieve this by equipping youth with trade-specific skills and attitudes geared towards the world of work.

GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ), supports the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in the implementation of the Dual System Pilot Project.

It does so specifically through Ekurhuleni East and West, Port Elizabeth and East Cape Midlands TVET Colleges. The Dual System Pilot Project comprises a three-year occupational programme to become either an electrician or a plumber.

It ends with a trade test whereupon apprentices will be fully qualified, confident and competent artisans, equipped for the 21st century. During their three years of training, apprentices rotate between the colleges and companies in order to gain as much real-life work experience as possible.

They essentially become employees of the company. They are assigned a mentor who provides structured training at the workplace.

In fact, apprentices spend up to 70% of their training at the workplace gathering practical experience.

This gives them the edge over other job-seekers as they are not new to the labour market. They already have the necessary practical skills. They also have the all-important ‘soft skills’ acquired while working in a team and communicating with colleagues and clients. These are invaluable skills for gainful employment.

For the employer, the Dual System Pilot Project is an ideal opportunity to develop loyal and high-quality artisans. Employers are then able to hire them permanently if opportunities for employment exist.

The Dual System Pilot Project truly offers excellent opportunities. Apprentices earn a salary while they are in training. By the time they complete the trade test, they have not only gained solid work-experience, but might also secure full-time employment within the company.

“We know them, they know us. We build up a relationship over three years. I would be happy to permanently employ them after their training if there is a vacancy,” says Takalane Nethenge from Sun International Carnival City Training Division.

Takalane Nethenge was commenting at a recent employer feedback session which was held at Carnival City in Boksburg. “It is always challenging to find people with the right skills and attitude, people that fit into our company,” says Kasavan Govender, Operations Manager at Imfuyo, another host employer. “When we take on apprentices, their exposure is limited to theory. Their practical knowledge comes from their time spent with us in the company.

As we invest in these apprentices, we get the skills we need. Once they are qualified and pass their test, we may want to hire them.

We would gain an employee who already knows the company and our workflow. In my opinion the dual system works well.”

It is not only the apprentices who benefit from the dual system arrangement. “The time they spend at our workplace also increases the productivity of the company, as we essentially have extra staff working.

It is a win-win situation for both parties,” says Deon Richards from Southern Star Electrical. This kind of feedback is crucial to making the Dual System Pilot Project a success.

Maintaining meaningful relationships with host employer companies is therefore essential. James Mogale, Deputy Director for the DHET reiterates this. “It is important for companies to give us regular feedback so that problems, if any, can be sorted out in the early stages.”

The participating TVET Colleges and companies are working hard to co-operate and communicate effectively to ensure that the theory the apprentices learn at their colleges is up to industry standard.

It ensures that it is closely linked to the practical work they do at the companies. Sipho Nkosi, the Dual System Pilot Project Manager from Ekurhuleni East TVET College expressed his gratitude for the commitment shown by employer companies Sun International Carnival City, Impact, Imfuyo, Dunlop, Siemens, Ekurhuleni East Metro Municipality and Southern Star Electrical.

“Without the support and participation of companies, the Dual System Pilot Project would not be possible.

The feedback we received from employers is very encouraging. It shows us that we are on the right track. Our apprentices are doing us proud.” Sipho explained that the students are selected through a rigorous process.

The process ensures that only the best were selected for this programme. It is no wonder, therefore that companies are full of praise for the apprentices. “I am very impressed by the apprentices. They are enthusiastic and keen to learn.

They deliver high quality work and work smartly and independently,” says Takalane Nethenge.

To continue on this path to success, the colleges have committed to giving their apprentices the best possible start. They will do so by providing them with exposure to newly purchased state-of-the-art training equipment and tools and upgraded facilities to match the high standards of industry. In addition, one must not forget that great lecturers help create great students. The colleges therefore focus on continuous capacity building for lecturers.

In light of this, ten lecturers from all four TVET Colleges were sent to the Hesse Institute for Advanced Training in Technology in Groß-Gerau, Germany.

There they took part in a four-week advanced training course for electrical engineering. With such top-of-the-range equipment and competent lecturers, the colleges can ensure that the students receive a high standard of education in their three years of enrolment in the programme.

The Dual System Pilot Project not only creates employment opportunities for apprentices.

It also inspires personal growth and encourages apprentices to take pride in- and ownership of- their work. During the training, apprentices learn that, just like in the real working world, their success of finding employment depends solely on their own attitude, commitment and hard work.

While the Dual System Pilot Project currently focuses on the electrician and plumber trades, experiences gained can be used by DHET for other programmes, including the Centres of Specialisation Programmes.

So, while the South African unemployment figures paint a bleak picture, the companies and TVET Colleges implementing the project are quietly changing this very picture. They are giving the youth a new and more encouraging outlook when it comes to

finding employment in the working world. With such an innovative approach, the Dual System Pilot Project is expected to make an important and long-lasting contribution to youth employment in South Africa, one apprentice at a time.

By Tanja Merensky-Hartinger

Source TVET College Times