Sparrow FET College staff Melanie Malema (Sparrow FET College Operations Manager), Wellington Mpukuta (Training and Curriculum Development Manager) and Mary Webber (Sparrow FET College Client Liaison) receive award at the National Skills Conference.

Sparrow FET College were delighted to receive the prestigious award to recognise their work in vocational training of youth in South Africa. The award was announced during South Africa’s third National Skills Conference on 23rd March 2017. The conference was hosted  by the National Skills Authority (NSA) a department which falls under the Department for Higher Education and Training as part of a solution seeking mechanism to help address the current skills shortage needs in South Africa.

The title of the conference was ‘Skills development for an integrated and differentiated Post-School Education and Training system: Past, present and future.” The objective of the conference was to discuss and allow the different sectors including, private and government colleges, businesses partners and community based projects to provide input into the NSA commission for skills development in South Africa.

Key topics in the commission included:‘Turning every workplace into a training space’ and ‘Technical- vocational training development for the 21st century workplace’ with the aim to enhance the pathway of learners and artisans into the workplace. The conference was attended by over a thousand delegates and high profile speakers in the field of skills development including the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr B E Nzimande and the Deputy President – Hon C Ramaphosa.

“Let us ensure that the post-school system is aligned and geared to achieve the South African dream of total social and economic emancipation for all… skills development in South Africa must be aligned to the economic and political priorities of the country, namely the reduction of unemployment and poverty.” (Dr. B. Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training)

Click here to watch Sparrow FET College being interviewed on Morning Live

“Our affiliation  with the NSA is crucial; their mandate is to conduct research, implement and influence policy making pertaining to skills shortage in South Africa. Sparrow FET College is guided by the above by implement relevant training to address the skills shortage amongst the youth of our country and support the vision of “Its cool to be a  21st Century Artisan” Melanie Malema, Sparrow FET College Operations Manager.

What role and initiatives do you think business should play in higher education in order to increase access to post school education? Please leave your comments below.