Volume II - The Northern Cape Provincial Spatial Development ...

Northern Cape PSDF
Volume 2
Office of the Premier &
Department of Rural Development & Land Reform
December 2011
The Provincial Growth and Development Strategy will also ensure that it meets its
obligations and requirements in respect of legislation such as the Skills Development Act 97
of 1998, and will act as a catalyst for industry‐based skills development.
b) Skills Development Fund: The National Skills Fund will be significantly increased to ensure
that more learnrships and internships are registered for Financial Management and
Information Technology. The Northern Cape requires more apprenticeships in e.g. diesel
mechanics, welding and plating, heating, air‐conditioning and ventilation, etc.
c) Improving the supply‐side of high level knowledge and skills: Labour demands in the
province need to be based upon the requirements emerging from the economic sectors of
agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality services, trade and finance and
construction. A complete analysis of the labour and skills demands of the province, with
due cognisance of the possible labour market changes that could emerge from the
development potential of the province, need to inform a comprehensive strategy on the
development and retention of high quality knowledge and skills in the Northern Cape. This
requires the necessary commitment from government, labour and the private sector over
the long‐term. The province has a general shortage of research and development skills.
Compared to other provinces, where higher education and research facilities have formed
part of their economies for many years, the Northern Cape has difficulty in accessing these
services. Further education and training (FET), Higher education and training (HET) and
development of maths, science and technology opportunities in the province over the next
five years should be high on the development agenda. Every attempt should be made to
encourage research and development in the province and in this regard, the National
Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) should take the lead.
d) Provincial Human Resource and Skills Development Strategy: The provincial strategy is
attuned to the unique nature and needs of the province. The Human Resource
Development Strategy for the Northern Cape Province is informed by the critical challenges
that the province faces. The strategy in underpinned by key principles to guide its focus
and direction. These principles remain sensitive to the broader transformation and redress
imperatives that continue to guide the development efforts of the provincial Government.
The strategy takes on board the view that its success will hinge on the availability of
appropriate institutional structures for its implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Central to this strategy is the conviction that enhances the general and specific
competencies of all citizens as a necessary response to high levels of unemployment in an
attempt to interface the supply for skills and the market demands for skilled labour. The
assistance and support of national government programs in terms of targeted skills
development in the province (e.g. SMME development, entrepreneurship development,
export development assistance, amongst others) would be invaluable in the social and
human capital building process.
According to the PGDS the biggest challenge facing the Northern Cape Province in the next decade
is to build the economy. This process can only be successful if productivity increases and this is
more likely through the enhancement of human and social capital. To ensure that people have
the necessary mix and level of knowledge, skills, abilities and attributes one needs to promote
access to knowledge and improve the work force productivity. However, the education and
training system that has been inherited has a number of shortcomings, some of which are:
• Lack of adequate planning for future skills requirements.
• Inadequately training for the unemployed
• Inequality in education that has left a highly differentiated education system.
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Dennis Moss Partnership