Speaking at the annual International Vocational Education and Training Association conference in Cape Town, the Minister of Higher Education & Training, Naledi Pandor, said that making technical and vocational education training the “first choice” was a priority for the government. She said that the government is on a mission to boost the appeal and the efficiencies of technical and vocational education training (TVET) colleges. She emphasised the need to place technical and vocational education at the centre of the skills-development agenda.
“If we are to train the people we need for the 21st century economy and labour market, we must clarify our understanding of vocational education: what defines it, how we provide it, how we fund it, and how we ensure the quality of providing it.”
In 2017, the Financial and Fiscal Commission said the historical underfunding of colleges, especially TVET colleges, was hurting SA’s skills development. Additional government funding of R7.2bn in 2018 was allocated to fund bursaries for students of poor and working-class families.
Source: businesslive.co.za 14/09/18
