SAMBRA/MERSETA /NDPW APPRENTICE TRAINING PROGRAMME

BACKGROUND

• Government launched a poverty alleviation initiative as part of achieving the country’s millennium developmental goals.

• The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) was developed as a job creation component of the programme of the initiative and officially launched in 2004.

• Purpose –to reduce unemployment and enhance contribution to the economy

• Initial focus• Enable unemployed to acquire work experience• To provide quality training that will enable employability

Job Creation Programme

Expanded Public Works Programme(EPWP)

Initial Focus- Four Sectors

• Social Sector-health and social welfare programme• Infrastructure Sector-Provincial and municipality• Environmental Sector-Waste , working for water and fire

programmes.• Economic Sector-Business Enterprise programme, cooperative

development, contractor development Programme

EPWP IMPACT ASSESSMENT RESULTS

POSITIVE• Over 1million Jobs created• Access to income• Assets created in communities• Exit opportunities created

NEGATIVE• Jobs not sustainable• Poor quality Training• Skills created not aligned to the labour market requirement• Need for qualified and experienced artisans was identified as

urgent.

SAMBRA,MERSETA & NDPW PARTNERSHIP

CURRENT CHALLENGES IN THE AUTO BODY REPAIR SECTOR

• Limited qualified & experienced artisans. • Average age of a qualified artisan is between 40-45

• FET colleges poorly resourced

• Employers not equipped to provide work place training

• Inadequate training support resources e.g. Trade centres, Moderators, accredited training providers

• Learners are struggling to access work place placement

SAMBRA/MERSETA/NDPW PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE

• EPWP unit of the National Department of Public Works received funding to implement an artisan development programme

• An MOU between MERSETA and EPWP was signed to enable the implementation of artisan development programme

• SAMBRA approached the EPWP unit for a partnership to accelerate training in our sector

• EPWP & MERSETA agreed to partner with SAMBRA in the implementation of an apprentice programme in the auto body repair sector.

• The programme will focus on the following:• Training & placement of 221 learners (Spray Painters and Panel Beaters)• The allocation will be based on employers and provinces that respond timeously• Rural areas and gender balance

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

• Information sessions per province will be held with employers who have confirmed participation.

• MERSETA will confirm compliance and together with SAMBRA assist employers with compliance where possible

• MERSETA will project manage the programme and DPW will fund the implementation as per agreement

• SAMBRA, DPW and MERSETA will commit resources to assist employers with the placement process.

• EPWP to recruit candidates• Employers will be given a chance to interview and select learners if

they choose to do so.• Once employers have confirmed appointment, the necessary

contracting will commence and a final implementation will discussed with all the stakeholders

WAY FORWARD

The following should be done to enhance the implementation of the programme:• Provide support to members and leaners to ensure continuous

compliance

• Identify accredited training providers per province and facilitate expansion.

• Target implementation date is June 2015