Great news for the youth and technical skills workers and corporates in and around the West Rand in Gauteng is the opening of a brand-new skills training and workplace experience Industries Education and Training institute in Roodepoort on 4 May. IETI Roodepoort is part of UXi Artisan Development with skills campuses nationwide.
According to Phillip Boonzaier, campus manager of the new Industries Education and Training Institute (IETI) the new training centre is an answer to the escalating demand for vocational skills training to benefit South Africans in search of formal qualifications.
The new IETI Artisan skills training institute has been officially opened in the presence of the leadership in South African higher education, the local school and career guidance leaders, Artisan workplace owners and numerous key stakeholders in the industry.
At the launch of the new campus at Rand Leases near Florida Lake in Roodepoort, Ronald Meeske, director of the UXi group said role-based jobs are connected to a specific function, instead of a generic one. The Artisan industry with multiple well-paying occupation options is becoming increasingly specialised and in search of very specific skills in very specific areas.
He reiterated that most of the degrees and diplomas offered by traditional educational providers are often generically focused. He says a concern about the lack of the necessary skills needed by the market in any specific job is a major reason for many graduates not being able to find employment effectively.
This trend is coming across very strongly from the corporate market looking for graduates with specific training to fulfil very specific job roles. Training institutes need to adjust the content of their programmes to meet the rapidly changing workplace requirements, to ensure the employability of their graduates.
According to Elsie Harmse, CEO of UXi Artisan Development, IETI Roodepoort is committed to continually participate with industries and communities to identify training needs and establish areas requiring training and development.
“IETI is aligned with industry’s training needs, arising from the Skills Development and Employment Equity Acts on a national basis. We are identifying areas where training and development will have the most beneficial impact and secure private and public funds to secure funding for identified training projects specifically for the upliftment and employment of disadvantaged unemployed people.”
Harmse confirms that UXi Artisan Development campuses are establishing the required training mechanism and facilities in rural and outlying areas to conduct training on the campus or through online training in e.g.: welding, electrical, millwright, carpentry, plumbing, solar installation, hand skills.
Through efficient market driven training IETI is successfully transferring marketable skills to generate a sustainable income. “We are maintaining and exceeding NQF and SAQA training standards, Quality Assured by the QCTO, SETA’s and NAMB to train people to a level of competency and where applicable, to Artisan status to place a highly trained workforce at the disposal of industry and of our country.”
Meeske confirms that job-specific skills training is the logical thing to do, to offer qualifications in the subjects that are in demand. “However, this is more tough than might be expected. But it’s trickier than it appears since the question is “what the market demand will be in three or four years and can we sustainably contribute towards this call for action to deliver a qualified workforce.
“I believe there’s a great need for renewal across the entire educational space. Private trainers such as IETI within the UXi group will probably be more agile in being able to change course material to meet market demand.”
Graduates from the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework, as implemented in 2021 will receive qualifications which include the fundamental components of practical, knowledge and workplace standards that ensure they are not just “work ready” but have real experience in the workplace.
Successful learners who obtain their accredited qualifications from IETI Roodepoort or any of almost 20 UXi Artisan Development campuses across South Africa will be able to further their study or obtain immediate employment on their career pathway to a better life.