The department of public works and infrastructure announced the provision of R66 million to AgriSETA to train 400 participants in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to become artisans.
This funding of R66 million was provided by the National Skills Fund of the department of higher education and training. This follows a partnership agreement for the provision of training in skills programmes, learnerships and artisan development programmes over a multi-year period.
“We partnered with AgriSETA as they previously implemented a similar project and we were satisfied with the results. The department is committed to develop and nurture scarce skills as part of (an) on-going transformation process of the built industry”, says Imtiaz Fazel, acting director-general.
The agreement between the department and AgriSETA to implement the artisan development programme will commence immediately and will continue up until 30 September 2023, or until completion of the project, whichever comes first.
AgriSETA will manage the implementation and provide technical support to the project in order to ensure that 400 artisans are trained and certificated.
“This is no small feat for us and we are honoured as AgriSETA to perform the obligations of the project implementation, which includes administration and reporting, as well as the procurement and contracting of relevant training providers, which will be done in consultation with the department of public works and infrastructure to ensure clear guidelines and transparency,” says AgriSETA’s CEO Zenzele Myeza.
AgriSETA is also responsible for sourcing relevant workplaces for all 400 trainees in artisan development, as well as to certify all accreditation requirements of training and appointment of service delivery agents for the duration of the project. It will ensure joint monitoring with the department, continuous quality assurance, verification and the timeous completion of certification of successful participants.
“This is indeed an empowering collaboration, which is going to benefit many unemployed people and will increase the much needed essential skills that is required in all sectors of the country,” says Myeza.
The National Skills Fund executive officer, Mvuyisi Macikama, says the project aligns to the third National Skills Development Strategy and the National Skills Development Plan 2030. This prioritises artisan development programmes to address technical skills shortage, and in line with the envisaged catalytic role of the fund, to drive change towards partnership-based programmes and contribute significantly to raising the low base of education and training in the country, guided by government strategies and policies of redress and equity.
