Trade union Solidarity says the Labour Court has ordered that a meeting be held with education departments and training authorities before September 30 to address and resolve the systemic shortcomings in the certification process.

This order was given after Solidarity brought an application before the court to resolve the delays in the issuing of Red Seal certificates to qualified artisans.

The Department of Higher Education and Training, the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB), the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and several sector education and training authorities are among those who have been ordered to hold the meeting.

Solidarity says qualified artisans, despite having successfully completed their trade tests, were forced to wait months for their certificates.

“Solidarity welcomes the court order. Our members completed their training and passed their trade tests. They should not have to put their careers on hold because of the State's administrative failures,” says Solidarity Trades’ Network coordinator Stef Pretorius.

For an artisan, a Red Seal certificate is the key to employment, career advancement and improved earning potential. Every unnecessary delay holds consequences for people and their families, he adds.

The union will monitor the implementation of the court order and the certification process.

“Our goal remains to ensure that qualified artisans are not left waiting in uncertainty for months after they have met all the necessary requirements.

“This order is an important step towards securing justice for our members and enforcing greater accountability in the Red Seal certification process,” Pretorius says.

Through the application, the union sought to compel the relevant State institutions to finalise and issue all outstanding Red Seal certificates, as well as address the broader systemic failures affecting the certification process.

It says that the problem extends far beyond isolated incidents and reflects a systemic crisis that is disadvantaging artisans across South Africa.

Further, the order also demonstrates the value of legal action when government dysfunction threatens people’s careers and livelihoods, it says.