Media Release: Skills Mecca to become central to job and skills alignment in the Garden Route
For Immediate Release 15 June 2021
South Africans have almost become immune to bad news as day to day survival remains for many the single most important priority, especially with the arrival of COVID 19 and the world of Lockdown. Many of us would probably not even realised that on 1 June 2021, Statistics South Africa (STATS SA) released the first quarter of 2021 Labour Force survey that shows the official national unemployment stands at 32,6%. This is the highest unemployment rate since the start of the Labour Force survey in 2008. Although the Western Cape is somewhat better off at 23,7%, the smaller percentage makes no difference to those still unemployed and without a job.
Turning such a catastrophic scenario around in a long term sustainable manner is only possible through targeted economic growth and development. This is why the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) developed 20-year Growth and Development Strategy. A well-designed strategy requires a solid foundation with many cross-cutting enablers, one of which is skills development.
A critical question then arises: “What are the skills requirements and challenges that constrain this priority area?”
The GRDM and its relevant stakeholders have ramped up efforts to roll out the Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM). A dedicated GRSM Coordinator, Dr Florus Prinsloo, has subsequently been appointed by the GRDM. Dr Prinsloo has already established an internal task team, as well as an external stakeholder forum. An implementation plan for the Skills Mecca have been finalised and submitted to the Management of GRDM, the Municipal Managers Forum of the District (MMF) and a Council workshop today for further deliberations and input in the month of June. The next step is to develop a website where residents of the Garden Route can access up to date information on the GRSM.
Another essential part of the GRSM concept is establishing a clear link between skills development and jobs, which will only be possible by the GRSM team working closely with Local Economic Development (LED) Units at each municipality in the Garden Route. This approach will help to inform decisions by utilising demand-based methods toward skills development. This means that economic demand would need to be linked to skills development projects and programmes. This will result in people studying towards careers where there are jobs vacant.
A partnership-based approach is the only way that such an ambitious process will succeed. At the moment, a pressing and challenging risk faced is the lack of funding available for skills development. Creating partnerships between all the relevant public and private sector is vital to the success of this programme. However, the GRDM is engaging all economic levels to try and source funding for this innovative approach to skills development and job creation.
Media Release: GRDM Executive Mayor encourages participants of Mayoral Programmes during Certificate Ceremony
For Immediate Release
14 May 2021
On Wednesday, 12 May 2021, youth between the ages of 18 and 35 from various towns within the Garden Route, were acknowledged and handed over certificates by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), after completing a Peace Officer (Law Enforcement) and/or Learners & Drivers Licence Programme. This was the last group of participants who underwent one or both programmes as part of the 2017-2021 Mayoral Programme.
The event took place at the Rosemoor Stadium with the councillors, management, training providers, service providers and the participants in attendance.
Executive Deputy Mayor at Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Ald. Rosina Ruiters welcomed all officials and participants and training providers to the event. She specifically welcomed and commended the training providers for the excellent manner in which they presented the programmes to the participants.
The Mayoral Law Enforcement programme started in 2017 with the aim to capacitate local municipalities to enforce by-laws within their respective areas. The programme initially commenced in the Knysna and Bitou municipal areas due to the high crime rates in both areas at the time, but subsequently was extended to the other areas of the district.
After completion of the Law Enforcement Programme, the Learners and Drivers Licence Programme was rolled out to empower unemployed youth with essential skills to get easier access to the job market, according to Richard Dyantyi, Manager for Expanded Public Works (EPWP) at the GRDM. “Both these programme are initiatives of the GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald Memory Booysen,” he said.
Executive Mayor of GRDM, Alderman Memory Booysen, praised and encouraged the participants of both programme during his keynote address.
Cllr Rowan Spies, member of the Training and Skills Development Committee, as well as Chairperson of the Roads and Transport Planning Committee at GRDM, directed the programme.
GRDM Manager for EPWP, Richard Dyantyi highlighted that both these programme are initiatives of the GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald Memory Booysen,
GRDM Councillor Rowan Spies, programme director of the event, congratulated and encouraged all participants who completed the programme(s) with the following words: “Success is not a moment, but a challenge that you pick up every step of the way. It is getting up in the morning and showing up what you are supposed to do that day when you do not feel like doing it. It is working through relationships in spaces that you work in and learn in and try to move forward when you do not get along with people which you supposed to be working with. That is how success is built. Adding to this he highlighted: “Success comes after your darkest moment when you just want to give up – commend yourself for your hard work and success,” he concluded. Spies is also a member of the Skills Development Training Committee, as well as Portfolio Chairperson tasked with Road and Transport Planning at GRDM.
GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen, with some of the participants of the two programmes.
Participants namely Nolusindiso Thafeni, Nathan Buys and Jozé Olivier shared warm messages of appreciation with GRDM, Mayor Booysen, their respective local municipalities and training providers for their efforts to roll out these programmes. Thafeni (Law Enforcement) said: “There are people who weren’t as lucky as us to be selected to the programme, so we are very grateful to Mayor Booysen for making this possible. We are also grateful to everyone who was involved and took initiative by teaching us and getting us here today – we thank you. Buys from Riversdale said: “I am thankful towards both GRDM and Hessequa municipalities for the opportunity created for the youth, in order to build a future for themselves. He also thanked Mayor Booysen for the course that was created for the youth and for all future programmes that will continue to benefit youth. Oliver, a Learners and Drivers Licence participant, also thanked GRDM and stakeholders involved for the opportunity created to assist them in obtaining the necessary skills to be job-ready.
The moment all participants waited for was the appearance of Mayor Booysen when he shared his story of passion with them to help the Garden Route district become a better district for all. He applauded the group for their endurance throughout the programme and praised them for not giving up on themselves. When highlighting the group’s achievement, he said: “This is just the beginning, because if you are doing good in what you are doing today, you are not only paving the way for yourselves but for others too. Your performance during these programmes motivates us as Council to continue to invest in similar programmes,” Mayor Booysen said.
Alderman Memory Booysen (2nd from left), Cllr Khayalethu Lose (left), Cllr Erica Meyer (middle row), Ald. Pieter van der Hoven (left, back) and Ald. Virgil Gericke (back, right), attended the ceremony with others.
One of GRDM’s Environmental Health Practitioners, Jessica Erasmus (second from left), with other officials, ensuring that strict COVID-19 protocols were adhered to during the event.
Nolusindiso Thafeni shared a word of gratitude during the event, recognising the importance of the GRDM’s role in skills development.
When referring to the challenges faced by our country in terms of skills development and jobs, Mayor Booysen emphasised: “The GRDM Council made a unanimous conscious decision to invest in the skills of the Garden Route youth and will continue to do so. This idea fits into the broader Skills Mecca concept, which is also being driven by the GRDM at the moment”. He added that from the GRDM’s side, Council also wants to make sure that when opportunities arise, the youth are ready for those opportunities. In closing, he said: “To be ready for the future, you need to be able to help yourself, you need to be able to solve problems and if you are able to do so, you would then be able to fulfil your purpose in the future of the Republic of South Africa”.
The event was organised by the representatives in the Office of the Executive Mayor, led by Siphiwe Dadla (Chief of Staff in the Office of the Executive Mayor), in collaboration with the EPWP Unit and other internal departments of GRDM.
Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality welcomes 30 interns for workplace experience
For Immediate Release 2 November 2020
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recently welcomed thirty (30) interns from various sectors for an internship programme at its Head-Office in George. This, after the Department of Western Cape Department of Local Government created an opportunity for interns to be placed at various municipalities for a period of six months from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021 in the 2020/2021 financial year.
The Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) required each municipality to do a Skills Audit of all the qualifications of their staff members. The information obtained was then collated onto the GAPSKILSS Programme which is an online national system. In order to reach the desired outcomes, the DPLG approached the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) to fund the interns, as a means to assist the Department with the entire process. DEDAT then granted municipalities the funds to appoint interns. The funds were transferred to all municipalities who participate in the programme, such as the GRDM.
All municipalities who take part in the programme have to adhere to certain requirements. Two of the requirements are that the municipality have to indicate the need or number of interns needed within the municipality and that they must fund four to five of the interns that they accommodate. The rest of the interns will be funded by the DEDAT.
With the GRDM who accommodates 30 interns, these interns will be able to require the necessary skills and gain workplace experience within their specialised fields. This will allow them to be job-ready and will enable them to start building their careers. Also, the initiative further aims to assist households within rural areas financially.
Interns from various sectors welcomed to the Garden Route District Municipality on the 1st of October 2020.
Andrew Burger – Disaster Management
Dewaun Fortuin – Financial Services
Siphesihle Faith Mdluli – Corporate Services
Gurchwin Campher – Financial Services
Jamy Frieslaar – Corporate Services
Lee-Anne LeKay – Corporate Services
Lucretia Jooste – Corporate Services
Natasha Ayanda Sangoni – Corporate Services
Nathan Cronje – Financial Services
Nomkhita Mhlontlo – Corporate Services
Odwa Caleb Grootboom – Corporate Services
Onke Jako – Corporate Services
Sebastian Pieterse – Corporate Services
Sizwekazi Plaatjie – Corporate Services
Celine Michaels – Corporate Services
Mkuseli Kowa – Corporate Services
Xoliswa Ntsizi – Corporate Services
Nomandla Solinjani – Human Resourse Department
Charlton Shane Ahrends – Fire Department
Liyabona Golimpi – Roads Department
Herchell Visser – Fire Department
Bulelani Nyuka – Fire Department
Micyla Michaels – Fire Department
Anathi John – Fire Department
Phumza Velaphi – EPWP
Nolubabalo Manyube – Roads Services
Brayley Booyse – Tourism Department
Thandokazi Majola – HR Department
Vrenicka Green – EPWP Department
Strict measures are in place and proper monitoring are done to ensure that the desired outcomes are reached. Currently the interns are tasked with meaningful work activities and proof thereof must be provided together with an attendance register that have to be signed by each participant on a daily basis.
Applications are invited from students who are currently studying at tertiary or TVET institutions; as well as learners that are currently in Grade 12; or have passed Grade 12 for financial assistance towards further studies for the 2021 academic year. The award is restricted to full-time study and attendance at a SAQA accredited tertiary or TVET institution and is ONLY eligible to students whose parents permanently reside within the Garden Route municipal area.
Application forms are available at the GRDM head-office and satellite offices within the district during office hours (Monday – Thursday 07:30 – 16:30; Friday 07:30 – 13:30). Application forms are also available on the municipality’s website at www.gardenroute.gov.za.
GRDM WILL ONLY CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION IF COMPLETED IN FULL, AND IF THE DOCUMENTS MENTIONED BELOW, AS AND WHERE APPLICABLE, HAVE BEEN INCLUDED.
A detailed Curriculum Vitae and cover letter, application form and certified copies of the following documentation must be attached: Latest or Grade 12 results or equal qualification; latest examinations results of students currently enrolled at tertiary institutions; certified copy of ID; affidavit of parents` combined income and proof of residential address (municipal account). Please forward the application form and all documents to: Records, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, PO Box 12, George 6530, for attention: Training and Development Section.
For any enquiries do not hesitate to contact Mr Reginald Salmons at 044-803 1363, Ms Angeline Naidoo at 044-803 1420 or Mrs Angela-Ziva Coetzee at 044 803 1344 during office hours (Monday – Thursday 07:30 – 16:30; Friday 07:30 – 13:30).
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months after the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.
The African Footprints of Hope Organisation, in partnership with Construction SETA, offers an opportunity to 50 (fifty) unemployed young people who wish to participate in the Apprenticeship Programme in Bricklaying for a period of 3 years.
Applications are invited from qualified unemployed candidates residing within the Garden Route District municipal area of jurisdiction with the minimum requirement of Grade 09.
Contact Person: Reginald Salmons at 044 803 1363
(During office hours (Monday to Thursday (7:30 to 16:30) and Friday (7:30 to 13:00).
Closing date: 23 September 2020.
(All applications to be submitted on/or before close of business. No late applications will be considered. (Commencement date: Subject to CETA approval)
Media Release: Bricklaying Apprenticeship continues to benefit youth of the Garden Route
For immediate release
4 August 2020
The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa, together with the Services SETA, approached the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) to participate and pilot an A21 Bricklaying Apprenticeship programme. The municipality was provided with ten (10) seats for unemployed youth in the district.
The seats offered to the municipality were split between Bitou Municipality and GRDM and the programme started in March 2019, stretching over a period of three (3) years.
However, with the lockdown announced in March this year, the programme had to be temporary brought to a halt. During this period, the South Cape College which was appointed as training provider, continued to pay stipends to the apprentices, as per the directive of the Department Higher Education and Training (DHET) since the lockdown was announced.
This programme is an initiative of the Department of Higher Education and Training and was designed to meet two objectives:
to address the demand for priority trades needed for the implementation of Government’s National Development Plan in general and its National Infrastructure Plan more particularly; and
to contribute towards the building of capacity of its public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College system to deliver trade qualifications with employer partners.
According to Mr Reginald Salmons, GRDM Coordinator for Skills Development and Training, the initiative was also identified as part of the Garden Route Skills Summit resolutions, to “Progressively support the development of the new apprenticeship of 21st Century (A21) in the District”.
The programme is currently in its second year and has resumed in June 2020.
The learners are being trained theoretically by South Cape College and then do their practicals at a construction company identified by the GRDM.
Photo Caption: Skills Development and Training officials at Garden Route District Municipality, Ms Angeline Naidoo (left) and Mr Reginald Salmons (fifth from left) with the participants of the A21 Bricklaying Apprenticeship in the District.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15 March 2020
Garden Route Skills Summit cancelled due to growing concerns over COVID-19 VIRUS
George – 15 March 2020. After carefull consultation between the Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Cllr Memory Booysen and GRDM Municipal Manager, Mr Monde Stratu, a decision has been made to cancel the Garden Route Skills Summit which was planned for 19-20 March 2020 in Knysna.
“Following an increase of the number of COVID-19 cases in South Africa and in particular, the Western Cape, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global pandemic. We are disappointed that we are unable to hold such a Summit that was geared towards economic growth and skills development, but we know it is the right decision based on the information we have today,” said Monde Stratu, GRDM Municipal Manager.
GRDM will continue to work closely with public and private medical experts to ensure we are taking the right precautions as the situation continues to evolve. As a result, the District municipality is now directing that all its employees also stop traveling with immediate effect. This, however, does not include our Roads Services employees who travel while servicing Provincial Roads.
We are inviting businesses from the Garden Route District to register for the upcoming Garden Route Skills Summit. Please note that space is limited. Also note that registrations close on Monday, 9 March 2020 at 14:00.
From left to right, are: Mr Stratu (GRDM: Municipal Manager), Mr Lumka, Ms Naidoo (GRDM: HR Practitioner: Training), Cllr De Vries and Mr Loliwe (GRDM: Strategic Manager).
Discussions revolved around the upcoming Garden Route District Municipality Skills Summit which will take place in Knysna on 19 and 20 March 2020 and how the DHET and SETA can add to the success of the outcomes of the summit. Added to this, outcomes in terms of the implementation of learnerships, skills programmes and multiple access routes onto A21 Apprenticeships, were also discussed.
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in collaboration with the B-municipalities in the district and the Western Cape Provincial Government, will be hosting its annual District Skills Summit on 19 and 20 March 2020 in Knysna (as per the 2019 Summit Resolutions). The overarching objective of the summit is: “Bridging the skills gaps in order to position the district towards investment and economic development opportunities” with the following added – “while gearing all sectors to make the most of the fourth industrial revolution”. The Fourth Industrial Revolution represents a fundamental change in the way we live, work and relate to one another. Advances are merging the physical, digital and biological worlds in ways that create both huge promise and potential peril.
According to the Executive Mayor of GRDM, Cllr Memory Booysen, “Progress is only possible through collaboration across all stakeholders with the Business community leading, supported by all spheres of Government, Organised Labour, the Community sector as well as the LGSETA and other SETA’s and the National Skills Fund. International best practice shows where employers are willing leaders and other stakeholders willing partners, success is achieved in the overall planning and implementation phases of skills development projects. All these progressive ventures take place under the ‘umbrella’ of the Skills Mecca concept for the region.”
This year’s summit follows a resolution taken at the 2018 Garden Route District Skills Summit held on 01 February 2018 in George, during which it was resolved to take the concept of a Garden Route Skills Mecca forward and review progress on an annual basis. The idea of a Skills Mecca originates from the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative (GRRI), which followed the devastating fires that hit the district (Knysna/Plettenberg Bay) in June 2017. Since last year’s summit, municipalities in the district, in collaboration with various stakeholders, among others, the local Business Chambers and Provincial Government, progressively worked together in order to bring about and implement the Garden Route Skills Mecca concept.
The 2020 Skills Summit will focus mainly on the achievements of the previous year’s implementation of the summit resolutions. The “show and tell” (presentation/competition) will give municipalities an opportunity to showcase a project that was implemented within their respective municipal areas. The 2020 Skills Summit will also be focused on how to accelerate the district-wide Skills Mecca, and also to evaluate the resolutions determined in 2019 towards making the Garden Route a preferred pristine destination for learning in the country and continent.
Other role-players involved are:
Local Businesses
Garden Route Business Chambers
MECs
District Mayors
District Municipal Managers
Corporate Services Managers
LED Managers
Tourism Managers
Skills Development Facilitator
Youth Coordinators
Various government departments
Western Cape Government
Local NGOs
The following resolutions were taken during the 2019 Skills Summit:
Continue and accelerate collaboration and cooperation among all District skills development role players.
Ensure that the Skills Development leverages digital infrastructure as far as possible to ensure learning and processes methods are and remain cutting edge.
As far as possible link Skills Development to Investment and Economic Development opportunities to the advancement for all.
Ensure that all Skills Development processes in the Garden Route ALWAYS proactively considers renewable energy.
Engage with all willing partners, in particular the SETAs and the National Skills Fund, to explore the development and implementation of projects across the District.
Consider and leverage local skilled people, including retired people, within the District, to accelerate the growth of the Skills Mecca.
All public and / or private skills development projects and/or programmes in all municipalities are acknowledged, recorded on Skills Mecca on line solution and supported within resource limitations.
Progressively support the development of the new apprenticeship of 21st Century (A21) in the District
Budget, plan and implement an annual Skills Summit that is held in a different local municipality rotationally and alphabetically….2020 – Knysna – proposed on 5 March 2020.
Municipalities are expected to prepare and present a case study of an actual skills development project implemented within their municipality at this year’s Summit. A ten minute presentation will form part of a competition to determine the annual Garden Route Skills Mecca Champion for 2020. Presentations will be evaluated by the delegates on the day of the event through a simple ballot system. Each case study will be judged against three criteria:
Did the partnerships in the project add value? – Yes or No?
Did the project support transformation in a creative way? – Yes or No?
Did the project make learners more employable? – Yes or No?
The envisaged outcome of the Summit is to ‘’fine-tune” the resolutions from 2019 and develop ideas on how to accelerate implementation of the Skills Mecca in the Garden Route. The Skills Summit will be an annual event on a rotational basis; municipalities therefore also need to budget and plan towards this purpose. The 2019 Skills Summit attracted approximately 180 people in Stilbay, while arrangements are in place to accommodate 200 – 250 people this year.
For more information contact the GRDM’s Training and Development Section, Mr Reginald Salmons at 044 803 1363.
