Double Digit Economic Growth -...

Double Digit Economic Growth

Where are graduates with

disabilities?

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SAGDA clinches the work place skills challenge

Unisa investment in graduate destination research

TETA invests in rural communities and maritime industry

Contents“Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that ,

you’ll make a difference.” Arie Pencovici

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Solutions for graduates in distress - Mr. Thamsanqa Maqubela (SAGDA CEO)

Unisa investment in graduate destination research - Ms Yuraisha Chetty

Career development and management at UJ - Mr. Ian van den Berg

NYDA commits to internship research - Dr. Siphokazi Koyana

ECSA brings mechanical engineering closer to the youth - Mr. Edgar Sabela

Clinical physiologist on hand, as graduates tackle stress - Ms. Khosi Jiyane

Teta invests in rural communities and maritime industry - Mrs. Anno-Frempong

SAGDA clinches the work place skills challenge- Mr. Tswaledi Mashiane

Careers in demand offered at IIE campuses - Dr. Dave Augustyn

Where are graduates with disabilities? - Mr. Ari Seirlis

Career management specialist joins SAGDA - Ms. Zingaphi Ngewu

merSETA, champions of manufacturing skills - Dr. Raymond Patel

Graduates with disabilities on Service Seta internships - Ms. Moloko Ramohlale

Actuarial scientist with a sense of humour - Josiase Maroba

Here we go

Welcome to the third edition of Top Graduates magazine. This is my first issue to edit. I look forward to receive your comments and preferences with regard to articles you would like to read.

We bring you news and best practices in the area of preparing students and graduates for the world of work. The South African Graduates Development Association (SAGDA) has taken giant strides to create a community of partners to increase graduate placement. Thanks to our CEO, Mr. Thamsanqa Maqubela for his leadership in pooling national resources with like minded members and partners.

As you navigate the magazine, you will be inspired by how SAGDA brings solutions to graduates in distress on page 4. Page 5 reveals how the University of South Africa has invested in graduate exit survey to make informed interventions for graduate placements.

Read about career management at the University of Johannesburg (page 6) and learn how NYDA commits to internship research; while ECSA brings mechanical engineering closer to the youth on page 7.

Rural communities and maritime industry benefits from TETA’s investment (page 8-9) and the Department of Trade and Industry commits to graduate placement. On page 13, a flagship project on graduates with disabilities is worth your read. See many more other articles of note from industry partners and members.

Lindy MkhizeEditor

SOUTH AFRICAN GRADUATES DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONAddress: 13th Floor, Marble Towers, 208-212 Jeppe Street,

Johannesburg, 2001

Postal Address: P.O. Box 61453, Marshaltown 2107

Tel: 011 333 0761 Fax: 086 560 0162 Email: [email protected]: www.sagda.org.za

Reg No: 1997/001375/08

Publisher & Managing Editor: Thamsanqa [email protected]

Editor: Lindy [email protected]

Advertising & Sales: Makhosazana [email protected]

Printers: Automatic [email protected]

Top Graduates: June - August 20124

It is 20 months since SAGDA appointed Thamsanqa Maqubela to turn the organisation forward. This task was accompanied by the mandate to reduce the spiralling number of unemployed graduates which was sitting at 600 000 (Adcorp) by November 2011.

This mandate was, however not supported with adequate resources to accomplish. Credit is due to several sector education and training authorities. These organisations have aligned their resources for effective implementation of the NSDS 3 goals.

We are grateful to the ETDP SETA for making available 50 internship opportunities for placement of unemployed graduates in two rural provinces of the Eastern Cape and Limpopo from April 2012. SAGDA’s placement machinery was able to place the graduates within 3 weeks and to date 90 of these graduates are enjoying the benefits of skills development partnership. The remaining 10% have already secured fulltime jobs.

Chieta has taken the lead to grant 100 of SAGDA’s graduates placement in the chemical sector. The provinces of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal (Richards Bay) have been identified as strategic areas for graduate absorption.

Service SETA committed funding for placement of 100 graduates for participation in the Productivity SA, Department of Labour and Department of Trade and Industry’s workplace skills challenge. SAGDA’s monitoring and evaluation program

has gained industry credibility to attract such support.

A record breaking commitment was unveiled by the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) to support 1000 SAGDA’s graduates for the next 5 years. This is by far the largest commitment to make a dent in graduate unemployment in the skills development arena.

These are strategic partnerships and interventions to promote youth employment, reduce scarce and critical skills vacancy rates through graduate placements. With these four partnerships, we have achieved 25% of our annual placement target of 5000 graduates for the 2012/2013 financial period.

At this rate, SAGDA is truly exhibiting traits of being an entrepreneurial

public benefit organisation at the centre of graduate empowerment. We look

forward to more members and viable partnerships to roll back university and FET college graduate

unemployment (distress).

Solutions for graduates in distress…

Record breaking: Mrs Maphefo Anno-Frempong (TETA CEO) shakes hands with Mr. Thamsanqa Maqubela (SAGDA CEO) after signing a MoU to place and support 1000 unemployed graduates per year for the duration of the NSDS 3 period.


It is every student’s dream to graduate and join the world of work – and in doing so to find the right job at the right time. The Department of Institutional Statistics and Analysis (DISA) at Unisa hosted its first Strategic Discussion Forum (SDF) for 2012 on 19 March to present and discuss the 2011 Graduate Exit Survey.

Ms Yuraisha Chetty, Director: Institutional Research, who facilitated the discussion, said that the aim of the SDF was to stimulate a broader strategic discussion around graduateness, employability, labour market needs and students’ orientation to their careers. Welcoming the guests, Prof Mamokgethi Setati, Vice-Principal of Research and Innovation, said that Unisa takes the employability of its students seriously and that it is an issue affecting all students. “It is not only students from the humanities who have difficulty finding jobs; science students face the same challenge,” she said.

Dr Liz Archer, Specialist: Institutional Research presented the Unisa 2011 Graduate Exit Survey, which was well received by delegates from other universities and FET colleges. She stated that graduate employment is an important indicator of both student and institutional success.

The report explored issues such as the employment pathways of Unisa graduates, graduates’ ability to meet the demands of the workplace and whether the broader student experience at Unisa

facilitates students’ transition from a university environment into the workplace. The audience was given the opportunity to ask questions and participate in the discussion.

SAGDA CEO, Mr Thamsanqa Maqubela (a guest speaker) lauded Unisa for making its graduate survey available publicly. Maqubela said that it is important to plan the destination of graduates. “If we do not plan it they will go anywhere,” he said. “Currently they are flooding the unemployment realm and as institutions we need to prepare students to be ready for the world of work. We must also guard against ‘jobless jobs’, such as when a graduate with a degree in economics works as a petrol attendant,” he conculded.

Mr Convy Baloyi, Dean of Students, said that the release of the survey suggests that Unisa contributes to millions of lives in the country. “By publishing the results, we can gain comments on what we are doing. We have nothing to hide, and are committed to this cause,” Baloyi added.

Unisa is negotiating a membership and partnership agreement with SAGDA to increase the absorption of its graduates into the world of work. Key to the partnership is the placement of 100 Unisa graduates, hosting of student work readiness programmes and graduate empowerment seminars through SAGDA channels.

Unisa investment in graduate destination research

Graduates First: Mr Glen Barnes, Dr Liz Archer, Ms Yuraisha Chetty (Director: Institutional Research: Unisa), Mr Convy Baloyi (Dean of Students: Unisa), Ms Amanda Masina (Alumni Relations) and Mr. Thamsanqa Maqubela (SAGDA CEO)


The recent Green Paper for Post-school Education and Training highlights the nature of challenges facing Higher Education. One of the greatest of these is the large number of young people who appear to face a very bleak future, if major changes are not introduced. It refers to a study of post-school youth conducted by the Centre for Higher Education Transformation (CHET) and the Further Education and Training Institute (FETI), which shows that in 2007 there were 2.8 million youth aged 18 to 24 who were not employed, not in some form of education or training, and not severely disabled.

The study by CHET and FETI cited by the Green Paper makes it clear that young people are particularly vulnerable to the structure of the economy and the post-school system which leaves so many of them without employment or any kind of education or training to equip them for the labour market. “For this reason it remains clear that our students in Higher Education should be afforded the opportunity to prepare themselves for the world of work in more ways than one”, Prof Pretorius asserts.

She added that, “In addition to appropriate qualifications,

students further need to gain exposure to the world of work. This they may gain by participating in meaningful career development tasks whilst they are studying, thus taking responsibility for their own career management from their first year and onwards.

For many students in higher education settings, the career service within their institutions is a major source of information about study opportunities and career choice, potential employers and employment opportunities upon graduation.” This is the major reason the South African GraduatesDevelopment Association (SAGDA) is promoting its career management program on campuses.

Consequently, all universities and FET colleges should have viable and well resourced career development and management centres. At the very least, these centres need to: provide assistance in the selection of study courses and the selection of majors; provide career assessment and counselling services; assist students to understand the world of work; assist students to learn (career) decision making skills; provide assistance with access to employers and a range of job opportunities during studying and upon graduation.

The University of Johannesburg, is a comprehensive institution offering a wide variety of degree and diploma programmes. It endeavours to provide a range of career development interventions and services to its students in support of the above-mentioned goals and activities in line with SAGDA’s career management program.

Mr Ian Van Den Berg and Team Leader: Career Services, states that, “the Unit for Career Services, Centre for Psychological Services and Career Development (PsyCaD), is well equipped to empower our students and graduates for the world of work. We have dedicated facilities available across all four of our campuses, with opportunities for our students to utilise our assessment and counselling services, consult with our dedicated Career Consultants and Psychologists, and utilise the career information and education resources available in our Career Resource Centres.”

UJ is a primary member of SAGDA since 2011 and its programmes are effective for preparing students for the world of work.

Care

ers.

.. U

JCareer development and management at UJ

Professor HG Pretorius, Director of the Centre for Psychological Services and Career Development (PsyCaD) at the University of Johannesburg.


NYDA commits to internship researchThe second Graduate Research Committee meeting coordinated by SAGDA and hosted by the ETDP SETA sat on 1 March 2012.

The meeting was chaired by SAGDA’s research director, Dr. Siphokazi Koyana following her appointment last year. The committee has representatives from the research offices of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA); Education, Training and Development Practices (ETDP) SETA; Independent Institute of Education (IIE); the Human Resources Development Council of South Africa and University of Limpopo.

SAGDA was tasked with the development of a research proposal to assess the effectiveness of “student and graduate internship” as an instrument to prepare students for the world of work.

The study aims to influence internship policy at the public and private sector levels, thereby increases its propensity to provide graduate experience. Through its outcomes, the NYDA, SAGDA, HRDC and participating SETAs aim to create a national best practice to ensure that internship implementation is of a higher standard.

In June 2012 the NYDA research department has endorsed the research proposal. The agency has budgeted an amount of R400 000 towards the study, making it the first of the partners to commit resources towards the R1.7 million study.

“We are delighted with this partnership as it will add to our body of knowledge in advancing youth development,” exclaimed Mr. Mphela Motimele – NYDA Research and Policy.

SAGDA is appealing to SETAs, private sector companies and other government departments/ institutions to contribute to the balance.

Dr. Koyana will commence with the study in July 2012 and submit the report by early Feb 2013.

Unbeknown to many, the Hakskeen Pan, located in the North Western corner of South Africa, is the launching pad for the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car (SSC) in its attempt to break the land speed record travel on land at 1 600km/h in 2013.

The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) in partnership with the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering (SAIMechE) has tapped into this international educational initiative. One such initiative occurred when ECSA and SAIMechE hosted Richard Noble, Project Director of Bloodhound Super Sonic Car (SSC) to inspire the young generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The event took place earlier this year at ECSA’s premises.

“ECSA, through its Ingenious programme, is committed to profiling multiple facets of the engineering industry. This is aimed at promoting engineering as the career of choice, as well as ensuring that our youth are exposed to the many opportunities which the engineering fraternity presents. We are pleased that Bloodhound SCC shares our passion and is committed to showcasing the

Supersonic car to our aspiring youth,” says Edgar Sabela, ECSA Executive, Strategic Services.

“ECSA is committed to attract young talent to the industry and through such projects, aims to inspire the next generation to pursue STEM subjects and careers.” continued Mr. Sabela

Vaughan Rimbault, CEO SAIMechE agreed that the Bloodhound Project presented a unique opportunity to engage the youth and attract them to STEM subjects.

“Bloodhound’s innovative open-access design programme, as well as its absolute focus on education, is an example of how to improve our education efforts using technology. This is not about a fast car – this is about engaging with as many people as possible in a manner that makes STEM exciting, attractive and understandable,” concludes Rimbault.

ECSA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the South African Graduates Development Association (SAGDA) in June 2012. The partnership aims to promote scarce and critical skills to South African learners (from grade 8) and students.

ECSA brings mechanical engineering closer to the youthBold Move: Richard Noble, Project Director of Bloodhound Super Sonic Car (SSC) with Edgar Sabela, ECSA’s Executive, Strategic Services


TETA has over the past 11 years, laid a solid platform for the development of skills through an array of qualifications, learnerships and numerous workplace initiatives in various occupations in the diverse transport sub-sectors. “Taking note that South Africa is a global citizen with transport at the centre of economic and social development, we believe that rural development requires robust rural support,” states Mrs Anno-Frempong.

This is evident in the organisation’s initiatives, dubbed “Raising the Base”; involving a number of strategic programmes that provide a second chance to those who did not have the opportunity to enter the transport sector through world class support, skills development and professional qualifications. The programmes are outlined below.

Career Guidance and Adopt a School Projects

During the exhibitions, Life Orientation Educators (LOE) were empowered to use the TETA newly launched career guidance manuals,

specifically designed for learners and students. The LOE’s had an opportunity to learn about the different qualifications available in the transport sector, possible subject choices for learners, different employers and stakeholders available for experiential learning and trade testing for apprenticeship programmes.

Accreditation and TETA accredited providers were also discussed with Educators and how to ensure that learners select reputable service providers with the correct licence to operate. The sessions were opportunities for Educators to engage with TETA employees and obtain first-hand information on skills development and opportunities within the sector. Grade 9-12 learners were exposed to the different modes of transport and also the sub-sectors of transport, with some of our stakeholders such as PRASA (sponsored transport for the learners in most of the provinces), SAA Express, Transnet, JAAP, all provincial Department of Transport

The Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) has taken rural development and maritime as strategic deliverables to address skills development in rural and coastal communities. This is in line with the new growth path to strengthen rural

Clinical Psychologist on hand, as graduates tackle distressKhosi Jiyane, a renowned clinical psychologist is one of the new professionals working with SAGDA. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from Wits University, a Post-graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management from Wits Business School. Khosi holds an Honours degree in Psychology from RAU and Master’s in Clinical Psychology (cum laude) from the University of Johannesburg.

Her professional career spans across corporate human resources and organisational development consulting, individual and group coaching, amongst others.

She has worked in Hluhluwe, rural northern KZN and Gauteng high schools as Programme Manager at an NGO whose mission is to inspire young people to believe in their dreams for the future. Her role included research, design and development of a 3-year intervention strategy per school as well as leading, training and support for the programme team implementing activities including 6 workshops for all teachers and learners per school.

She is also an Associate at The Human Edge where she facilitates corporate training on Influencer, Crucial Conversations and Crucial Confrontations.

She is a regular guest clinical psychologist on 3Talk, It’s For Life, Take-5 and Shift and served as content advisor on Khumbul’ekhaya – tv programmes. She co-presented MTV-Base Uncensored, an HIV and AIDS education talk show commissioned and funded by the United Nations Population Fund and Family Health International for broadcast in 8 African countries. She is a board member of the International Transpersonal Association (ITA).


HRD units, Wholesale & Retail SETA, Health and Welfare SETA and others taking part.

The project was a resounding success and it was supported by decision makers from the Premier’s office, Department of Basic Education and Transport MEC’s from several rural provinces.

To date TETA is in a process of signing a Memorandum of Agreement with some of the provinces such as Limpopo in adopting the Matavhela Secondary School in the Vhembe District, Mutale Ward. The MOU will encompass various supports such as Bursaries to the top 5 Maths and Science students, Saturday classes for Maths and Science students and motivation for students. This project is driven from the CEO’s office (Mrs Maphefo Anno-Frempong) through the Project Management Unit. It is a sustainable strategy for the career guidance exhibitions conducted by TETA.

Maritime support and advancement

TETA in support of Maritime studies has adopted Sithengile Senior Secondary School in Kwa Zulu-Natal province. Learners in grade 10-12 have and will continue to benefit from TETA funding to enhance their exposure and studies in the maritime sector. More of the

maritime specialised schools and colleges will be supported by TETA to advance maritime and exploit opportunities in this sub-sector.

Work place exposure for unemployed graduates

As a member and partner with the South African Graduates Development Association (SAGDA), TETA has appointed and placed a total of eight graduates within its structures to gain exposure and experience on what they have learned. This proves that TETA believes in the calibre of graduates hosted under the umbrella of SAGDA.

On June 12, 2012 TETA signed a memorandum of understanding with SAGDA to provide work exposure to 1000 graduates per year for the duration of the NSDS III. This is by far the largest commitment by any SETA to address the problem of graduate unemployment.

In 2011, TETA has conducted career guidance exhibitions for schools within the rural communities reaching all nine provinces and the statistics for the project are as follows:

Province Date District Municipality Number of Schools

Number of learners

Number of LO Educators

Eastern Cape 31/03/2011 Umtata OR Tambo 15 961 37 + 2 DFS’s

Northern Cape 29/07/2011 DE Aar Pixley ka Seme 14 800 30

Mpumalanga 19/08/2011 Nkangala Marapyane 15 1000 30

Free State 25/08/2011 QwaQwa Thabo Mofutsanyane 23 1930 30

North West 17/09/2011 Bojanala Makapanstad 15 726 16

Limpopo 23/09/2011 Vhembe Malamulele 15 985 50

Kwazulu-Natal 1/10/2011 Ulundi Empangeni 15 963 (75 learners

with disabilities) 46

Gauteng 8/10/2011 Gauteng North Bronkhorspruit 12 514 19

Western Cape 29/10/2011 Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 13 614 20

Total 9 137 8493 278


skill

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The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has appointed the South African Graduates Development Association (SAGDA) as a service provider and partner to implement the workplace skills challenge project. This project aimed at increasing the absorption of graduates in the work-place, thereby boost skills development through companies that do business with the dti.

SAGDA was appointed in April as a service provider of choice to assist the dti kick start the project in its pilot phase. Key to SAGDA’s appointment was the organisation’s 15 years track record as a champion for graduate development and placement. The project is formally known as the Unemployed Graduate Work Experience Placement Program (UGWEPP). It includes the dti as the custodian of the project, Productivity South Africa as project managers, Department of Labour as monitoring and evaluating partner.

The program aims to equip unemployed graduates with work relevant skills through work placements. The program will strive to resolve the general shortage of qualified and skilled people in the workforce by encouraging graduates to play an active role and partake in the mentored internship for a period of 12 months.

Speaking on behalf of the dti, Mr. Tswaledi Mashiane said, “the programme is motivated by the gap that exists between the industry needs and the skills that many South African graduates have. This initiative brings together government and the public sector in a partnership that seeks to make a contribution towards the question of graduate unemployment in particular and youth in general.”

The programme will benefit over 67 graduates with some already being placed. A graduate, Ms. Melly Mukhwa placed at Adcock Ingram expressed her happiness at the opportunity to gain experience in her field. She is also excited about the fact that the programme will be monitored as this will allow for accountability on the part of the host companies and the participants in order to meet high standards of competence at the end of the 12 month period.

Another graduate, Mr. Thuto Mapohoshe placed at Centurion Systems hoped to excel in this project so as to secure permanent employment with his host company. Asked if he had any words of wisdom for other unemployed graduates, he said; “never stop trying, always apply because there are lots of opportunities out there. Stay in the SAGDA database, your

time for placement will come.”

The project received a further R4.8 million boost from the Service SETA to increase the number of participating graduates. Ms Moloko Ramohlale, Manager in the office of the Administrator (Dr. Sihle Moon) explained that, “this project is in line with our mandate and relevant to our sector. Our board was encouraged by the work of SAGDA and we look forward to see high retention levels from this investment.”

The program aims to equip unemployed graduates with work

relevant skills through work placements.

SAGDA clinches

the workplace skills challenge

Some of the programme participants for the programme during induction.


Almost 90% of all higher education students enrol with universities, but there are also over 100 registered and credible private higher education institutions. In addition to providing a valuable service in educating the nation, this industry also creates many jobs in South Africa as it grows. For individuals wanting a career in education, higher education offers a wide range of possibilities.

Private higher education in South Africa in particular, is an industry with great promise for growth. The Independent Institute of Education (IIE) is the largest with 21 registered higher education campuses across South Africa and employs more than 1500 lecturers. The group boast some of South Africa’s prominent institutions such as the Design School Southern Africa, College Campus, Rosebank College, Forbes Lever Baker (FLB), Varsity College and Vega.

The IIE’s head office in Sandton plays host to faculty team, operational personnel, registrar’s staff, research and development employees, content developers and senior academics and management. The Operations department employs faculty coordinators and editors to make sure that all the campuses receive quality educational material. All the institute’s legal and governance matters are managed by the Registrar’s department. The Faculty personnel take responsibility for the academic programmes; whilst Research and Development

manages new programmes, course development and research.

Dr. Dave Augustyn, the Research and Development Manager reports that, “our content developers produce online course materials and senior academic staff and managers deliver staff training and development. They also monitor the quality of the education we provide all round. Specialist personnel take responsibility for infrastructure and resources, information and communication systems, libraries and special projects.

“All our lecturers need to hold a qualification one level higher than the one on which they are teaching and in several institutions it is also preferred that lecturers

have recent industry or workplace experience so that they can bring to their teaching a deep understanding of the application of theory. Many lecturers are involved in research in their disciplines and those that are able to combine their teaching with continued exposure to the application of their discipline and research into new ways of working, find a career that is so fulfilling that very few others can match it,” Dr. Augustyn explains.

Private higher education in South Africa can potentially play a larger role in the higher education sector by contributing to meet the increasing demand for quality and relevant career education from both employers and students.

Careers in demand offered at IIE campuses

Varsity College students: a highly interactive institution, making for a great learning environment and real-world experience.


SAGDA CEO, Mr. Thamsanqa Maqubela has approved a new flagship project for the organisation – Support Programme for Students and Graduates with Disabilities.

This was motivated by the fact that there were no registered graduates with disabilities in the SAGDA database of unemployed graduates when Mr. Maqubela joined SAGDA in November 2010. He believes that this needs to change and SAGDA has started to champion a project for the support of students with disabilities to complete their studies and secure jobs in good time. Mr. Maqubela has engaged with several stakeholders such as the department of women, children and people with disabilities, Services SETA and QASA amongst others to lobby support for the project.

“Business, SMMEs and government are waiting anxiously for skilled graduates with disabilities to ply their trade and integrate into mainstream employment. They want their employment equity targets to be met. They want to show off people with disabilities in middle management,” says Ari Seirlis.

He added that, “unfortunately there are very few opportunities for graduates with disabilities. But then again, there are very few graduates with disabilities.” So how do we change this scenario? Mr. Seirlis inquired.

The true purpose of the employment Equity act will only be achieved when people with disabilities occupy middle and senior management positions in government and private sector. “Right now, people with disabilities are jammed into call centres, security officers, front of office

and clerical positions. I know of quite a few graduates with disabilities who are doing reception work.” Ari expressed.

There is a meaningful and a rightful place for people with disabilities in the workplace. A day will come when there’s abundance of graduates with disabilities into the workplace; making strides, taking decisions, achieving accolades and on the front page of the business tabloids. This is all possible.

A number of stakeholders need to pave the way for this to become reality. The schooling system should provide facilities for people with disabilities and avail role models so that learners can aspire to want to go to university or college and graduate.

SAGDA’s Career Management programme will assist create a meaningful intervention to young learners to get significant exposure to scarce and critical occupations before making subject choices in grade 10. Bursaries and scholarships must also be encouraged into the disability sector, with necessary job search skills.

People with disabilities have got resilience and have had to come from the trenches. They have got dreams and goals and most importantly people with disabilities understand their rights and duties.

Another problem, with people with disabilities is that they have had very little access to the workplace. And so the workplace is foreign territory. Many people in the workplace have never had an opportunity to mix with people with disabilities and so the environment for them is also awkward on many occasions.

Reasonable accommodation is often misunderstood. It is not a toilet and a ramp, but availability of resources, products and services which will enhance the skills and abilities of people with disabilities so that they can perform at their best.

Ari supports that, “once well provided with reasonable accommodation, then the employee, with a disability, really needs to deliver. At QASA we fully support the notion of targets, KPI's, etc for people with disabilities in the workplace. If you don't perform you will not be promoted, if you don't perform you probably will be retrenched.”

“A degree does not guarantee anyone a job. A good attitude gives you a good opportunity. All graduates need to understand the goals and the culture of the company to be able to work and survive in that environment,” Mr. Seirlis concluded.

Where are graduates with disabilities?

Advocates: Irene Chukudu, Graduate Intern at SAGDA and Mr Ari Seirlis, CEO of QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA).


merSETA,champions ofmanufacturing

skills

The merSETA, the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority has positioned itself as the leading SETA for the development of artisan skills. It facilitates skills development in the metal and engineering, auto manufacturing, motor retail and component manufacturing, new tyre manufacturing and plastics industries.

These subsectors make up 50 000 companies, with a workforce of about 655 000 and a total levy income of around R600 million. The merSETA plays a key role in fulfilling the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) as it facilitates the process of training by paying grants, registering moderators and assessors, identifying scarce skills, accrediting training providers, monitoring the quality of training and implementing projects to close the skills gap. Amongst other services, the merSETA offers:• Registration of learnerships;• Payment of discretionary grant for

learnerships and skills programmes;• Assistance with grant application

submissions, apprenticeships, workplace experience grants; and

• The payment of grants (WSP and ATR).

Key Success FactorsIn the previous financial year, the merSETA continued its successes:

18 860 people entering formal learnerships and 8 822 successfully completing the process. Furthermore, the merSETA enrolled 9 084 unemployed learners, who completed their training and studies.

On critical skills programmes covered by sector agreements with FET and HET institutions, 2 893 learners were assisted and 743 were formally employed. At least 70% found placement in employment or self-employment;

The merSETA launched (2009) the Science, Engineering and Technology Project (SET) to increase the pool of science and engineering students. In 2011, the project had an intake of 300 learners -- Grade 12 learners had a 98% pass rate, with 78 distinctions and 73% university entrance; and

The Accelerated Artisan Training Programme (AATP) began in 2007 to meet the critical shortage of qualified engineering artisans in the manufacturing and engineering sector. The aim of the project is to test, prove and promote qualifying artisans within a shorter period through a “modern apprenticeship

approach”. The AATP has registered 3 422 apprentices since 2007 and has qualified 2 012 apprentices to date, with a 70% qualification rate out of the total intake.

PartnershipsThe merSETA began partnerships with other institutions long before the introduction of National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) III and plans to maintain its leadership in the SETA fraternity as a thought leader. Some of the merSETA partnerships include the following:

The partnership between the merSETA, Sedibeng College, Heidelberg Campus and Arcelor-Mittal in which the merSETA has already accredited the college, and will extend its scope of accreditation to other qualifications and trades;

The merSETA, St Anthony’s Education

Training Centre and Mercedes-Benz South Africa recently launched a three-year training project in the auto industry. The pilot programme is aimed at providing NQF level three qualifications for an initial intake of 24 learners. The cost for the training is R2.4 million over the next three years; and

The merSETA and the Eastern Cape Provincial Government partnered to launch a R22.6m three-year project aimed at training thousands of artisans in the Eastern Cape. The agreement structures partnerships between FET colleges, Eastern Cape universities, business and the provincial government to ensure a consistent pipeline of skills to the manufacturing and engineering industries in the province.

Dr. Raymond Patel says: “Our commitment to contribute towards job creation is based on a solid track record over the years.” The merSETA is a member of SAGDA and the two organisations are finalising a special programme for placement of engineering graduates.

“In 2011, the project had an intake of 300 learners;

Grade 12 learners had a 98% pass rate, with

78 distinctions and 73% university entrance.”

Career Action Plan: Zingaphi Ngewu, Career Management Consultant at SAGDA.

The South African Graduates Development Association (SAGDA) has secured the services of Ms Zingaphi Ngewu as a Career Management Specialist. This is a testimony of the organisation’s commitment to promote career management, scarce and critical skills to learners, students and graduates.

SAGDA CEO, Thamsanqa Maqubela believes that, “graduate unemployment does not start after college or university. It’s symptoms are right in grade 8 where learners make ill-informed subject choices based on convenience.”

Ms Ngewu has professionally served the following prominent companies, amongst others; CTU Training Solutions (Career Consultant, 2010-2011), LexisNexis (Key Accounts Manager, 2008-2010), Tiger Brands (Assistant Brand Manager, 2005-2007), Brand House: International FMCG (2002-2004).

Her brief at SAGDA is to strengthen the Career Management programme, prepare graduates for work or internship interviews, liaise with employers on best practices, scarce skills and advice on branding matters.

Career Management Specialist joins

SAGDA


The Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SSETA) is one of 21 SETAs mandated to implement projects targeted to address national prioritiesas set out in the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) III.

The NSDS III aims to significantly open up opportunities for skill training for people experiencing barriers to employment including those caused by various forms of physical and intellectual disability.

The Services SETA have formed partnership with the Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) Limpopo Provincial Office in ensuring that the skills needs and training for people with disabilities are addressed. DPSA is a democratic cross-disability body made up of member organisations of disabled people in South Africa. DPSA is recognised as the National Assembly of disabled people by Disabled People International (DPI), which has observer status in the UN.

The SSETA has launched one of their Disability Projects within the Limpopo province where 100 graduates with various

disabilities were placed on internship programmes within the local municipalities and other government departments in the Limpopo Province as hosts. The Internship programme is one of the learning interventions that the SSETA has identified to assist unemployed graduates to gain access to skills development opportunities in the world of work.

The SSETA is mandated to fund the hosting of interns and one of the developmental imperatives is to support people with disabilities during the implementation of its programmes. The workplace experience component for people with disabilities is intended to facilitate long term sustainable employment creation, thereby ensuring integration of people with disabilities into the mainstream economy.

Host employers will provide interns with appropriate on-the-job training. This will be achieved through effective and competent host employer mentorship within its existing staff complement.

The SSETA will conduct workplace vetting for all host

sites to ensure that they have suitable workplaces for the interns to gain the necessary skills and knowledge. The SSETA has 9 regional offices where learners, employers, host companies and stakeholders are encouraged to engage and find out more information about the various skills development initiatives within their areas and industry.

“The SSETA has launched one of their Disability Projects within the Limpopo

province where 100 graduates with various disabilities

were placed on internship programmes…

”


Top Graduates interviewed Josiase Maroba (28), a Wits University alumnus who completed his Actuary studies in 2005. Since graduation, Josiase has worked as an Actuarial Scientist for Deloitte (2006), SASRIA LTD and Discovery (2010).This is a quest by SAGDA to promote rare professions to learners and students

What do actuaries do?Actuaries deal with the financial impact of uncertainty and risk. They apply mathematical and statistical expertise, economic knowledge and financial analysis to business problems. They collect and analyze data to estimate the costs and likelihood of uncertain events such as death, injury, illness, life expectancy, damage and loss of property. Most actuaries work in pension funds, insurance, investment management, banking, consulting and government fields. They also do pricing of financial products, assessing the amount of capital that an insurance company or bank should keep in ‘reserve’ as protection against losses and ensuring that a financial services company stays solvent by regularly projecting income and expenditure.

How did you know of the profession?I first heard about the actuarial profession when I was in Grade 9 but only decided to take it as a career path when I was in Grade 12. Initially I didn’t think I would be up to it, but friends kept persuading me to pursue the career as my Mathematics was very good.

What challenges did you face during your studies at Wits? The course was difficult and I initially didn’t expect to pass. One thing that exacerbated the challenge was that I didn’t have any textbooks in my first year (I couldn’t afford any). But I remained focused and worked as harder until things started getting easier. In my second year I got a full bursary from the South Africa Actuaries Development Programme. Their support was really instrumental in getting me through the degree.

What does it takes to be in your profession? A love for Math and a willingness to work hard are essential. One should also be the type of person who does not crumble when faced with unfamiliar challenges as these occur often. Actuaries generally have a strong background in mathematics, statistical analysis and business. You need a bachelor’s degree in math, actuarial science or economics. In order to be hired as an actuarial scientist, one must pass a series of qualifying exams before becoming a certified actuary. Math Requirements: University Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus I and II, Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability and Statistics, Applied Statistics and Actuarial Mathematics.

Tell us about your family and life guiding principles:I have been married for just over two years to my lovely wife, Thandi. We are currently expecting our first daughter and are quite excited but also a little nervous about the challenge. Some of the principles I’ve learnt to value over the years are: (1) People are more important than things, (2) self-control is more important than brains, and (3) God is good, all the time.

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Taking potential furtherAt Investec we believe in matching forward thinking students with a tertiary

experience that suits their unique potential. Through our bursary programme,

the funding of initiatives at key South African universities, and our distinctive

mentorship programme, we have adopted a holistic approach to tertiary education.

Helping turn promising students into employable graduates who are then able to

make a seamless transition to the working world.

www.investec.com

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Investec Bank Limited registration number 1969/004763/06. A registered credit provider. An authorised financial services provider. Cape Town 021 416 1000 Durban 031 575 4000 Johannesburg 011 286 7000 Pretoria 012 427 8300

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