The Summit further promises an opportunity for a few innovative proposals to be presented by stakeholders working with local municipalities on employment-based skills development projects, and give stakeholders the opportunity to debate on how they can take the Garden Route Skills Mecca to the next level of development.
Focus will also be given to the emerging Western Cape Provincial Growth for Jobs Strategy, Primary Focus area 7 – Improved Access to Economic Opportunities and Employability and how the Skills Mecca process can integrate the implementation of the strategy with the work already being done by the Skills Mecca. This will allow for the implementation of skills development projects that is aligned to the Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy.
The deliberations at the Summit will also feed into discussions that will be take place the next day at the Premier Council on Skills at the same venue, the Knysna High School.
Careers Festival 13 – 14 July 2023 – Knysna High School Sports Ground
Hosted by the Western Cape Community Education and Training College (WCCETC), the festival aims to give over 2000 unemployed individuals and school-going youth the opportunity to engage with SETAs, as well as public and private training providers.
With many local schools in Knysna and surrounds bringing their learners, the WCCETC expects to attract 32 exhibitors that have various training and personal development programmes available to eligible applicants.
This initiative by the Garden Route District Municipality and its Garden Route Skills Mecca is funded by Services SETA and is an open-to-the-public-event taking place at the Knysna High School.
“Garden Route District Municipality, Your route to prosperity”
Media Release: GRDM awarded more than R5.2 million to train Garden Route unemployed youth as Home Based Care Personal Assistants
For Immediate Release 22 June 2023
GRDM was awarded more than R 5.2 million for training of 140 unemployed persons as Home Based Care Personal Assistants across the Garden Route district, including all seven (7) B-municipalities under the coordination of the Garden Route Skills Mecca Programme.
Dineo Ramasesane (GRSM Home Based Care Project Manager), Francisca Bruintjies (Former GRSM Technician), Clayton Peters (HWSeta), Chantolene Wilskut and Siphokazi Zukelwa (Home Based Care Personal Assistant programme participants), Ms Zubayda January (HWSeta), as well as Denise Marshall (Africa Skills Private College). The participants are placed at the Groenkloof Retirement Village.
The programme commenced on 1 March 2023 and will end by 31 August 2023. Training takes place at various training venues across the Garden Route district where students are exposed to both theoretical training and work-based learning. As part of the programme, learners receive monthly stipends, and at the end of the programme, subject to successfully completing a final assessment, they will be issued with a certificate of completion.
Provincial Manager of the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA), Zubayda January, on Friday, 31 March 2023, visited the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) as part of a monitoring process organised by the GRDM Corporate Services Department.
The Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) aims to create an integrated approach to the development and provision of suitably skilled health and social development workers, to render quality services similar to world class standards. Their ultimate vision, therefore, is to create a skilled workforce for the health and social development needs of all South Africans.
Dineo Ramasesane, one of the twelve (12) Garden Route Skills Mecca Technicians who is based at the GRDM’s Economic Development Unit, currently provides project management assistance with the Programme’s monthly meetings and continuously gives feedback and updates to the GRDM.
All participants of the Training Programme are placed for practical experience at old age homes such as Groenkloof, Tuiniqua, Specare Old Age Home and others situated across the Garden Route district. Many of these young people that applied themselves to the learning process may be offered permanent work once the programme is completed since this an occupational programme that allows a person to earn while they learn and create a positive relationship with a possible future employer over a six month period.
Media Release: GRDM receives bursary funding of more than R10 million from LGSETA
For immediate release 20 June 2023
Last year in October 2022, the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) invited stakeholders in the Local Government Sector to apply for their Discretionary Grant that is in line with their (LGSETA’s) priority areas. Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) subsequently applied for the Grant and was awarded R10 million for their bursary needs.
This application, together with applications received from other Local Government stakeholders, went through a desktop evaluation process. Through the initiative, bursaries to the value of more than R1 000 000 were approved for the internal staff that are currently pursuing studies in various fields. A total of 21 staff members are benefiting from this bursary programme while completing studies in their specialised fields. This was the first time that the GRDM have submitted applications for Internal bursaries which were all approved.
A further R2.586 000 million have been approved for the following training programmes for employed and unemployed persons across the Garden Route district:
Occupational Certificate Training in Firefighting for fifteen (15) unemployed youth = R43 600 per person.
Occupational Certificate Training in Firefighting for 5 employed = R20 000.00 per person.
Further Education and Training Certificate in Water and Wastewater Treatment Process Control Supervision for twenty-four (24) persons = R20 000 per person.
National Certificate in Water and Wastewater Process Control for fifty (50) employed persons = R20 000.00 per person.
Lastly, National Certificate Process Control training for sixteen (16) employed persons to the value of R22 000 per person has also been approved.
All funds received for the internal and external bursaries will have to be spent within the LGSETA timeframes.
In addition to the application submitted by GRDM to the LGSETA, the Municipality has made changes to its Occupational Certificate: Electrician programme, for forty-seven (47) employed persons that will be trained over a period of three years. The amended application is currently in process and the GRDM is waiting for feedback from the LGSETA. The Municipality is hopeful that a favourable response will be received.
By continuously partnering and working with the LGSETA, Local Municipalities in the Garden Route and Training Providers, the GRDM aims to reach its strategic objective, which is “a skilled workforce and community”. As a district municipality, the GRDM serves the local municipalities within the District and therefore believes in the principal of lifelong learning and supports the development of its officials towards better service delivery for all it serves.
Training Opportunities: 120 Patrol Officer Learning Opportunities Across the Garden Route
24 May 2023
Garden Route District Municipality invites unemployed youth under the age of 35, male or female, currently residing within the Garden Route District Municipal area to apply for an opportunity to become a qualified Patrol Officer as part of a Garden Route Skills Mecca Project Initiative. Opportunities are currently available within the following municipal areas within Garden Route District.
Zubayda January, the Provincial Manager of the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA), visited the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) on Friday, 31 March 2023. A welcoming event was organised by the GRDM Corporate Services Department for the visit of the HWSETA Provincial Manager and to recognise the excellent work of Mr Harold Martiens within the organisation for the past year.
Ms January’s visit was two-fold; first, to hand over from outgoing HWSETA Provincial Officer Harrold Martiens to HWSETA Provincial Manager, and second, to discuss a current project between HWSETA and GRDM.
GRDM was awarded an amount R 5 231 625.00 for the training of 140 unemployed persons as Personal Care assistants across the district that includes the seven (7) b-municipalities. The programme was initiated on the 1 March until 31 August 2023. Training takes place at various training venues across the region where students are exposed to theoretical training and equally to work-based learning. While on training, learners receive a stipend, and at the end of the program they will receive a certificate of completion.
The HWSETA has established an office at the GRDM in George. Martiens served as the Provincial Officer for HWSETA in George for nearly a year. He left HWSETA on 31 March 2023 to pursue another career opportunity. GRDM’s best wishes go out to him for his future endeavours.
-End-
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING
Die Provinsiale Bestuurder van HWSETA het die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit besoek om ‘n opleidingsprojek te bespreek en om Harold Martiens totsiens te wens. Tuinroete DM het R5,2 miljoen ontvang vir die opleiding van 140 werklose persone as Persoonlike Sorg-assistente. Die program word uitgerol tot Augustus 2023. HWSETA het ‘n kantoor in George gestig en Martiens, die vorige Provinsiale Beampte, het op 31 Maart 2023 sy vlerke gesprei na ‘n ander maatskappy in die Wes-Kaap.
Media Release: GRDM Municipal Manager and officials welcome interns to the organisation
For immediate release 24 March 2023
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu, and officials (mentors) recently welcomed seventeen (17) interns from various training institutions to the Municipality’s offices in George.
Eleven (11) students studied at the South Cape College, three students are from Stenden University, two are from the Uconomy Platform and one student is from CHIETA Sponsored.
With each student now gaining practical experience at the organisation, they are exposed to various fields, such as Human Resources, Communication, Resorts, Record and Archives, Disaster Management, to name a few. The role of GRDM is to provide them with guidance in notable areas of shortcomings and coach/mentor these students in their field of study. They will be provided practical training on a rotational basis throughout the organisation during their period of their internship. The Public Management students will be placed at Registration, Archives and Auxiliary Services until their contracts expire.
The role of their mentors/supervisors is to ensure that the students keep a record of what tasks they have completed. This information will be contained in a Portfolio of Evidence (POE). The document must be signed off by their mentors/supervisors and final approval will be given by the Head of Department on completion of the experiential training. At the end of their tenure, each student will submit their approved document to their respective training institutions.
In total, R966 000 in stipends will be paid to the interns by the National Skills Fund, Bankseta, CHIETA or Uconomy Platforms over the 18-month period. From this amount, GRDM will partially cover the cost of almost R85 000 for students from Stenden University. These students study in the field of Disaster Management and are placed at the municipality’s district Disaster Management Centre in George.
Garden Route District Municipality is committed to contributing to the success of each student who is part of the programme and who shows dedication for the entire eighteen (18) month period. Providing students with workplace experience will ultimately prepare them to be ready for the job market.
Caption: Interns (with mentors) currently undergoing experiential training at Garden Route District Municipality.
Media Release: The Connected Economy – A Priority Focus Area for the Garden Route Skills Mecca
For Immediate Release
1 March 2023
The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) is an important initiative that will help to address skills shortages in the Garden Route district, promote economic growth and development. It will also support the realisation of the overall Growth and Development Strategy of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM).
To explore possible skills development options for the ICT element of the Connected Economy, the Garden Route Skills Mecca Forum convened on February 24th, 2023, with relevant stakeholders during a Quarterly GRSM Forum. The Connected Economy is one (1) of seven (7) priority focus areas of the Growth and Development Strategy of GRDM.
Stakeholders present at the Skills Mecca engagement with the MICT SETA.
The focus area was on the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA). A key question answered during the session was about the skills required in the ICT sector. In answering this, Koos Nieuwoudt, ICT Manager for GRDM in summary said that ICT sector continues to evolve and that new skills are required to meet the needs of the industry. Traditional IT skills such as A+ certifications are no longer sufficient, and companies require professionals who are proficient in AI, robotic process automation, data sciences, analytics, and cybersecurity.
Additionally, Niewoudt also shared that soft skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and adaptability are essential for success. The smart region strategy, which integrates digital transformation, offers opportunities for the development of skills in areas such as smart governance, infrastructure, security, environment, mobility, and services. However, he also stated that companies must be mindful of the cybersecurity implications of implementing the smart city concept. With the ever-increasing number of connected devices, cybersecurity is a critical concern, and adequate training and resources must be provided to ensure a safe and secure digital environment.
Skills Development Providers recognised
During the forum, the Garden Route District Municipality recognized eleven skills development providers who had submitted their organization details during an open tender process in 2022 to be considered as pre-approved service providers for Skills Mecca projects and programs in the future. These providers were required to submit proof of accreditation for specific programs considered necessary for the district in the next few years. As part of the recognition process, providers were issued with a Garden Route Skills Mecca Pledge that commits them to support the Skills Mecca.
Ald. Iona Kritzinger (Portfolio Chairperson: Corporate Services), Oscar Martin (Keep the Dream), and Trix Holtzhausen (Executive Manager: Corporate Services).
Ald. Iona Kritzinger (Portfolio Chairperson: Corporate Services), Joanita Martin and Chane Martin (Josmap Training), and Trix Holtzhausen (Executive Manager: Corporate Services).
Ald. Iona Kritzinger (Portfolio Chairperson: Corporate Services), Megan van Rensburg and Monique Oranje (Training Answers) , and Trix Holtzhausen (Executive Manager: Corporate Services).
Ald. Iona Kritzinger (Portfolio Chairperson: Corporate Services), Raoul Du Toit (Phezukomkhono Training Services), and Trix Holtzhausen (Executive Manager: Corporate Services).
Ald. Iona Kritzinger (Portfolio Chairperson: Corporate Services), Rinus van Raai (SA Value Education), and Trix Holtzhausen (Executive Manager: Corporate Services).
A further opportunity for service providers to register with the District Municipality as pre-approved service providers will soon be issued as a tender, and all service providers who offer accredited occupational qualifications or skills programs should watch out for it. The Skills Mecca is particularly in need of qualified and experienced mentors to register with the District Municipality to support small companies in the renewable energy (solar) sector.
Editor’s note: The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) is a concept that originated from the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative (GRRI) in response to the devastating fires that hit the Knysna/Plettenberg Bay district in June 2017. Since 2018, municipalities in the district, along with national and provincial stakeholders, have been working together to implement the GRSM concept as a critical component of the overall Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) of the Garden Route.
Feature image caption: Stakeholders present in person during the Skills Mecca Engagement with MICT SETA (FLTR): Dr Florus Prinsloo (GRDM Skills Mecca Coordinator), Oscar Martin (Keep the Dream), Rinus van Raai (SA Value Education), Koos Nieuwoudt (GRDM ICT Manager), Basil Myners (BM Skills Development), Raoul Du Toit (Phezukomkhono Training Services), Gerda Rappard (Africa Skills Private College), Iona Kritzinger (GRDM Portfolio Chairperson: Corporate Services), Joanita Martin (Josmap Training), Chane Martin (Josmap Training), Trix Holtzhausen (GRDM Executive Manager: Corporate Services), Reginal Salmons (GRDM Coordinator: Skills Development), Megan van Rensburg (Training Answers), Monique Oranje (Training Answers), Onke Jako (GRDM Skills Mecca Intern).
Are you planning to join our Garden Route Skills Mecca Quarterly Stakeholder Engagement? It will take place on 18 November at 09h00 am.
Why should you join? Find out what possible skills programmes and interventions are planned for Local Government in the Garden Route (including Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou, Greater Oudtshoorn, Kannaland and the Garden Route District Municipalities).
Media Release: Garden Route Skills Mecca Technicians warmly welcomed by Municipal Manager
For immediate release 30 September 2022
The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) continues to support all municipalities in the District with enhancing skills development. Complementary to this support, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has secured funding that offers all municipalities in the Garden Route, one-year full time Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) Technicians. They were appointed through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
GRDM Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu, addressing and welcomed all Garden Route Skills Mecca Technicians at the Garden Route District Municipality.
According to Reginald Salmons, Coordinator for Skills Development at GRDM, five (5) of the technicians are placed at the GRDM and all the seven (7) local municipalities in the district became a workplace home for one (1) technician each, totaling twelve (12) technicians. They are all qualified in either one of the following fields: Business, Economics, Finance, Engineering, Human Resources or Public Administration.
The local municipalities’ Technicians are placed at respective Local Economic Development (LED) Units, and undergo an intensive work-based learning programme to design, develop and implement proposals, projects and programmes for skills development within their towns. In addition, they assist LED Units with reporting, administrative, secretariat tasks, and create, build and maintain a Portfolio of Evidence (POE). The POE will enable them to be considered for future relevant Recognition of Prior Learning processes within the Skills Development Sector. They are mentored and supported by the GRSM team located at the GRDM.
GRSM Technicians warmly welcomed to GRDM, 14 September 2022
On Wednesday, 14 September 2022, Technicians attended an induction session at the GRDM Roads Department in George. They were warmly welcomed by the GRDM Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu. As he welcomed them, he emphasised the vision of the organisation and indicated GRDM’s ongoing commitment towards empowering young people through the various EPWP and Skills Development Programs. Stratu requested each Technician to commit 100% and called on them to represent the GRDM with pride and diligence. He also wished them the best of luck and encouraged them to do their best while they are on contract with the GRDM.
The Executive Manager for Corporate Services responsible for Skills Development at GRDM, Trix Holtzhausen, facilitated the introduction session. Holtzhausen motivated and challenged them to become true ambassadors for the GRSM and she encouraged them to think innovatively and creatively. Reginald Salmons, Coordinator for Skills Development at GRDM facilitated the topic “Andragogic approach to learning about the Skills Mecca” (what each of them already know about the Skills Mecca). This was through a multiple-choice questionnaire based various skills development policies and documents.
Dr Florus Prinsloo, the GRDM Skills Mecca Coordinator, facilitated the discussion on the answers to the questionnaire, allowing for debate and deeper understanding of the world of skills development in South Africa. At the end of the session all the Technicians received memory sticks containing twenty resource documents that included the:
– Skills Development Act
– Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy; and
– critical documents that form the basis for their future work within the Garden Route Skills Mecca.
In conclusion, each Technician was given the following homework to engage in once back at their offices:
Watch PPP Intro Video 17 Minutes
Prep for Module 1 and Module 2, planned for 13 October 2022
Immediate Work = Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority Project,
Imminent Work JET Project
Follow Ups – Memorandum of Understandings, Integrated Development Plans, Indabas, Public Private Partnerships
Schedule & Plan: Task Team and Forum
The session concluded with Dr Prinsloo thanking everyone for their attendance and participation in the session.
Did you know?
Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) refers to a concept that the Garden Route District Municipality in collaboration with stakeholders in all seven local Municipalities are implementing to the benefit of all who live and thrive in this region. To ensure continuity and alignment to the processes that have organically emerged with the development of the Garden Route Skills Mecca since 2017, existing institutional arrangements and structures have been adopted, adjusted as necessary and are being formalised cross the district.
The Garden Route Skills Mecca actively creates partnerships with an arrange of role players that also serve as an ongoing intelligence gathering system to inform the work of the Garden Route Skills Mecca. In this manner the Garden Route Skills Mecca is the directly linked to and supports the national District Development Model.
Feature Image: Executive Manager for Corporate Services at GRDM (right) and Coordinator for the Garden Route Skills Mecca (second, left) with GRDM Skills Development officials and Garden Route Skills Mecca Technicians soon after the introductions.
Media Release: 35 Learners from Garden Route district to gain practical experience at local municipalities
For immediate release 25 August 2022
Three (3) local municipalities in the Garden Route district, including Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), recently placed 35 Cape Peninsula University Technology (CPUT) learners in service to gain practical training in several fields.
The training forms part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and PSETA, aimed at upskilling learners at Local Government level and provide them with practical training. GRDM, on the other hand, needs to sign agreements with Bitou-, Knysna-, and Hessequa Municipalities in order to host these learners.
Last year, 14 learners were placed at municipalities in the district after CPUT received funding from PSETA. At a meeting between the PSETA representatives in March 2022, when the group of students individually shared their work-based experiences, the PSETA representative commented: “After listening to the testimonies of young people, I can confirm that we invested correctly; you did well by utilising students for the purpose which the program was created for.” The contracts of students ended in May 2022.
After further consultation with PSETA, funding was availed to accommodate these learners for an additional six (6) months, and this time around, 23 more learners were added to the programme.
GRDM was appointed to coordinate the project, which includes supporting each learner through monitoring, evaluation, coaching, and mentoring. Reporting progress to CPUT and PSETA on a regular basis is also required. However, the skills development facilitators within the b-municipalities will assist with the coordination of learners within each municipality.
Learners were enrolled on a Certificate in Public Administration course with CPUT which will provide them with a SAQA ID 91994 Occupational Qualification in Public Office Administrator. Each learner was also provided with a laptop and data on a monthly basis.
