Trained youth to tame SA’s economy?

The South African economy faces some significant challenges, including high youth unemployment rates, the energy crisis, rampant inflation, and generally slow growth. The upskilling, education, and accreditation of artisans could be a saving grace for the country. 

Artisanal trades and vocational skills development are crucial to fully address South Africa’s economic issues and ensure that better businesses are built through a correctly trained workforce. This plays a pivotal role in economic expansion, due to the economy’s reliance on a solid infrastructure of tradespeople in construction, manufacturing, equipment repairs, and other essential services. 

All South Africans, in all walks of life, can support entrepreneurship and small company growth by funding and collaborating with technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, and assisting them in promoting occupational trade credentials.

Enter False Bay TVET College 

One such college doing great work and establishing vital partnerships with businesses is False Bay TVET College. We caught up with accreditation and research officer, Rounell Slabber, to obtain her opinion on why business owners should partner with them and support the programme, as well as how businesses and the country can benefit from this. 

Why TVET colleges and occupational certificates are the future

“Skills development is vital for economic growth and employment creation, as recognised by the National Development Plan. TVET colleges with occupational trade credentials can create a trained workforce and address the skills gap in artisanal and non-artisanal crafts like automotive motor mechanics, spray painting and panel beating, electrical work, early childhood development, and computer technicians,” emphasises Slabber. 

She further highlights why TVETs and their programmes are so valuable:

• Skills development: TVET colleges focus on providing practical skills and hands-on training in a variety of fields, including trades and non-trade occupations. This type of education is highly practical and directly prepares students for the workforce, addressing the skills gap that exists in South Africa.
• Employability: Graduates from TVET colleges are often highly sought-after by employers due to their practical skills and industry-relevant training. This increases their employability and chances of securing gainful employment.
• Diversification of career paths: By offering a wide range of courses and occupational certificates, TVET colleges provide students with a diverse set of career paths from which to choose. This helps cater to the different interests and aspirations of individuals, leading to a more skilled and diverse workforce.
• Contribution to the economy: TVET graduates play an important role in driving economic growth and development by increasing productivity and innovation with their “hit the ground running” skills.
• Promotion of entrepreneurship: TVET colleges also play a crucial role in fostering entrepreneurship by providing students with the skills and knowledge needed to start their own businesses. Coupled with the relevant occupational-focused training, this not only promotes self-employment but also contributes to job creation and economic empowerment.

Overall, TVET colleges and occupational certificates are seen as the future in South Africa because they address the country’s pressing skills development needs, contribute to economic growth, and provide individuals with practical and relevant education.

Why should business partners come onboard?

Industry-education partnerships bring higher education institutions, businesses, and communities together to address their mutual interests. These partnerships help advance educational development in TVET institutions while addressing skills scarcity needs. In turn, TVETs provide industry and businesses with graduates who have a broader practical skill range than most university graduates, allowing for faster workplace integration.

Industry can contribute to educational programmes by indicating industry developments and needs, which TVETs can incorporate into curricula and short skills programmes. Where meaningful partnerships exist between business and TVETs, the gaps between the supply of graduates and the demand for skills are significantly reduced.

Slabber notes several ways in which businesses benefit from this collaboration. Firstly, they gain access to trained and skilled workers in their industry, addressing the common struggle of finding qualified artisans. This collaboration leads to increased workplace productivity and better retention of talent. By partnering with TVET colleges, businesses can ensure compliance with South African legislation, which is crucial for smooth operations.

Another significant benefit is a happier, more satisfied workforce. Employees with enhanced skills and knowledge are far more likely to experience job satisfaction and security. Compliance with the Employment Equity Act may lead to potential tax-related incentives, providing financial advantages for participating businesses.

There are also marketing benefits to consider. Businesses can truthfully boast to clients about having a certified and skilled workforce, potentially giving them an edge in competitive markets. Additionally, companies that train apprentices may be eligible for skills levy rebates and tax benefits, further incentivising participation in these programmes.

Positive changes for our society as a whole

Supporting this initiative benefits not just businesses but the country and its people, by closing skills gaps, creating jobs, and supporting economic growth. Most importantly, it promotes entrepreneurship, unlocking workers’ potential and reviving the economy of the whole country for a more sustainable future.

TVET colleges are essential for fostering entrepreneurship and small company growth. Many of these more skilled individuals with entrepreneurial abilities will create their own businesses and, in turn, support the initiatives that enabled them to do so. The effect is cumulative, potentially alleviating unemployment issues – probably our country’s largest contributor to crime and poverty – in the long term. As more skilled workers enter the job market or start their own ventures, it creates a cycle of growth and innovation that can help address some of South Africa’s most pressing socio-economic challenges.