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Education & Skills Development News

Built-environment growth a focus for regulator

By: Mamaili Mamaila 22nd May 2020 The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) has its sights set on accelerating growth in and strengthening its partnerships with the construction sector. →

Expert enhances skills

By: Mamaili Mamaila 22nd May 2020 Demolition expert Jet Demolition has made a significant investment in developing and retaining an exclusive skills base through the retention of full-time, long-term employees. →

KIND OF A BIG DEAL The Bank of Lisbon building implosion on November 24 2019 is the tallest reinforced concrete-frame building ever imploded by Jet Demolition

Pandemic heightens existing construction sector woes

By: Mamaili Mamaila 22nd May 2020 Challenges in the construction sector will continue to prevail if construction sites remain closed, owing to South Africa’s national lockdown, says Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) president Christelle Bown. →

CHRISTELLE BOWN It is important to address the difficulties caused by the onerous conditions prescribed when tendering for professional services

Lifting of cigarette sale prohibition will improve tobacco farming economics

By: Donna Slater 21st May 2020 If the ban on cigarette sales is lifted, tobacco farmers supported by the Emerging Farmer Initiative will benefit enormously, enabling them to sell and duly process crops that have already been harvested, says agricultural services company Afgri. The organisation notes that permitting cigarettes... →

CFOs in Africa take steps to provide safe working environments for their employees

By: Donna Slater 21st May 2020 As governments in Africa ease lockdown restrictions and reopen local economies, CFOs are focusing on plans to provide a safe working environment for their employees and ensure that this safety can be sustained throughout the Covid-19 crisis and recovery. This deduction comes from the latest 'the... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
PwC Africa CEO Dion Shango

Masondo reiterates projections of economic downturn, increased demand on health services

By: Simone Liedtke 21st May 2020 While difficult to predict what the South African economy will look like post-Covid-19, Deputy Finance Minister Dr David Masondo has warned that citizens can expect a 6% contraction in economic growth this year, alongside an increased demand on health services and infrastructure. Speaking during... →

Photo by Screenshot taken during webinar by Creamer Media's Simone Liedtke
Deputy Finance Minister Dr David Masondo

NUM concerned about high numbers of Covid-19 in mines, at Eskom operations

By: Donna Slater 21st May 2020 The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is concerned about the rising number of Covid-19-positive cases in the mining industry, especially in Limpopo, and at State-owned power utility Eskom's operations. The union states that some mines in Limpopo have become hotspots, where the virus is... →

Industroclean offers tips for employers to enhance hygiene, health

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 20th May 2020 As South Africa eases lockdown regulations, some businesses have been allowed to operate but under strict hygiene conditions, while others are preparing and strategising on reopening slowly. While employers are under pressure to adhere to strict occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations in... →

Labour Court came to wrong conclusion in SAA business rescue case, says law firm

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 20th May 2020 On May 8, the Labour Court handed down what could be considered a seminal judgment on the issue of retrenchment in the context of business rescue proceedings, says law firm Werksmans Attorneys. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and the South African Cabin Crew Association brought... →

CBE says it needs to recapacitate to overcome industry challenges

By: Donna Slater 20th May 2020 The Council for the Built Environment (CBE) noted during a May 20 joint meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure and the Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration that it had amended its vision and mission to overcome challenges being faced by... →

CIDB plans realignment with original mandate

By: Donna Slater 20th May 2020 The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) is undertaking measures to redirect its focus toward meeting the criteria of its original mandate, which was drafted in 2000, after being tasked by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) to realign itself. The CIDB discussed... →

8.1% of survey respondents lost jobs, close businesses

By: Simone Liedtke 20th May 2020 Statistics South Africa's (Stats SA's) Wave 2 survey on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on employment and income in South Africa shows that 8.1% of respondents reported that they had lost their jobs or had to close their businesse. The survey was implemented between April 29 and May 6 using a... →

Digitalisation of manufacturing offers potential to increase efficiency

By: Schalk Burger 19th May 2020 Digitalisation of the manufacturing sector provides a new opportunity to increase efficiency, but also brings with it new challenges, Rockwell Automation Europe, Middle East and Africa president Susana Gonzalez has highlighted. Rockwell recently hosted its first fully virtual conference to... →

Planned move to Level 3 lockdown positive, but longer-term foresight urgently needed

By: Donna Slater 18th May 2020 The National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) reports that its constituencies are working sectorally and collectively to migrate South Africa to Level 3 of the national lockdown. President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on May 13, stating that lockdown regulations would be... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
BLSA CEO Busi Mavuso

International students in Germany offered interest-free loans

By: Sane Dhlamini 18th May 2020 The German government has offered almost 400 000 international students, who are enrolled in German universities, an interest-free education loan programme, to ensure the continuity of their studies amid the coronavirus pandemic. Due to Covid-19, many students have lost their jobs which allowed... →

Tips launches Covid-19 weekly monitor

By: Donna Slater 15th May 2020 To assist individuals, economic stakeholders and policy makers in managing the Covid-19-related risks of re-opening the South African economy, the Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (Tips) is launching a weekly monitor to track the spread of Covid-19 and its impact on the economy. To be... →

UIF now pays TERS funds directly to employees, ups call centre capacity

By: Marleny Arnoldi 15th May 2020 On May 14 alone, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) paid out R836-million in Covid-19 Temporary Employer / Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) claims. This benefited 195 521 workers, which are represented by 8 495 employers. →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi

Dept reaching out to domestic workers, farm labourers to apply for UIF lockdown benefits

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 15th May 2020 In its quest to ensure that no worker in need is left behind, the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) is making all efforts to reach domestic workers and farm labourers so that they can benefit from the Covid-19 relief scheme. The scheme, which is part of the basket of government-wide... →

Local procurement lags in public, private sectors

By: Mamaili Mamaila 15th May 2020 A prevailing issue facing the valves sector is the “poor attitude” to local procurement in the public and private sectors, says valves manufacturer RGR Technologies commercial director Ross Hunter. →

MAPPING THE WAY FORWARD RGR Technologies looks forward to slowly introducing three-dimensional printing into its processes to assist with the manufacture of valve parts

Pandemic prompts supplier’s tech aspirations

By: Mamaili Mamaila 15th May 2020 Industrial valves supplier Process and Allied Contracting Equipment (Pace Valves) plans to embrace the technological developments that will be prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa to sustain its supply growth. →

IN TOUCH WITH THE TRENDS Pace Valves is no stranger to developments in valve automation

PwC finds most businesses are considering operational changes as they reopen

By: Marleny Arnoldi 13th May 2020 A Covid-19 CFO Pulse survey conducted by consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has revealed a sense of optimism among finance leaders about their companies’ ability to safely reopen, as Covid-19 restrictions slowly start to lift in some countries. PwC says most businesses in Africa, similar... →

Dealing with Covid-19 impact calls for moral resilience

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 11th May 2020 With the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, South Africans and all the different sectors of the country are faced with moral dilemmas, and the best way to manage this is to turn to moral resilience. This was indicated by speakers during a webinar held by independent public institute, the... →

ViroGOLD launches back-to-school label design competition

By: Simone Liedtke 11th May 2020 ViroGOLDSchool, a range of hypochlorous acid products developed specifically for schools, has launched a back-to-school label design competition and is calling on learners from across the country to participate and stand a chance to win cash for themselves and product for their schools.... →

People need to adapt to new normal or risk mental health fallout

By: Donna Slater 11th May 2020 People around the world are facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19, with many working from home or in different and unfamiliar environments that have been adapted to be safe while the disease spreads. This is resulting in an increasing number of mental health... →

CCMA to publish directive on its new way of working by May 9

By: Marleny Arnoldi 8th May 2020 The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) will, by May 9, publish new directives on the way it will operate going forward. CCMA director Cameron Sello Morajane in a live social media broadcast on May 8 confirmed that the commission would, in the week ending May 15, be... →

Digital solutions could improve return-to-work, staff permit processes

By: Donna Slater 8th May 2020 With the national lockdown having transitioned from Level 5 to 4 at the beginning of May, many employees are returning to work, posing challenges for employers to ensure their staff can safely and easily return to work. One of the requirements is a permit and digital employee engagement company... →

As opposition to Level 4 grows, economists debate easing options

By: Terence Creamer 8th May 2020 With the opposition to South Africa’s Level 4 lockdown growing, along with calls for increasing the scope and scale of economic activity, several economic commentators are urging the authorities to take lessons from those countries that have already started to emerge from lockdowns and adapt them... →

Covid-19 pandemic underscores the need for inclusive growth

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 8th May 2020 The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a crisis worldwide, bringing into sharp focus and exacerbating the inequalities present in countries; however, it also presents opportunities to create more inclusive growth as the world moves forward. During a webcast hosted by professional services firm Deloitte... →

Mchunu urges public servants to be ambassadors of govt as they return to work

By: Sane Dhlamini 8th May 2020 For government to facilitate the unlocking of the economy more public servants need to return to work and while they do so, they should remain ambassadors for government as the country fight the coronavirus. Minister for Public Service and Administration Senzo Mchunu on Friday unpacked his... →

Minister for Public Service and Administration Senzo Mchunu

Business adaptation key to post-Covid-19 success − Kearney

By: Donna Slater 8th May 2020 As Covid-19 restrictions and fear put a strain on businesses and the economy, management consulting firm Kearney Africa MD Theo Sibiya believes the survival of many companies is going to depend on their capacity to build resilience in order to remain sustainable. In its sixth week of lockdown,... →

TERS payments reach R9.47bn

By: Donna Slater 8th May 2020 The Department of Employment and Labour reports that, as at May 8, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), had disbursed about R9.47-billion through the Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), benefitting 1.94-million workers. Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi says... →

Mining industry faces a new reality amid and beyond Covid-19

By: Marleny Arnoldi 8th May 2020 The global mining industry is facing a new reality amid the Covid-19 pandemic, with measures to curb the spread of the virus impacting on economies, mining operations and their supply chains, manufacturing industries, the general public and, consequently, the demand for minerals and metals. As... →

Theranostics can play a role in nuclear medicine

By: Cameron Mackay 8th May 2020 The development and use of theranostics with nuclear medicine provides ample opportunity for nuclear medicine and molecular imaging to become more familiar to the public, and can help grow the local nuclear medicine industry, says South African Society of Nuclear Medicine president Moshe... →

SAFARI-1 FACILITY The facility conducts clinical trials with, and produces, radiopharmaceuticals or radioisotopes, such as key medical radioisotopes like molybdenum-99 and iodine-131

Nxesi urges employers to pay staff UIF funds

By: Donna Slater 7th May 2020 Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has urged employers to disburse Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) funds paid to them by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). This comes after the Minister received numerous complaints from workers who alleged that their... →

SA statistics agency to collect labour data telephonically due to Covid-19

By: African News Agency 7th May 2020 Statistics South Africa said on Thursday it would collect second quarter data for its labour force survey over the phone, due to restrictions on face-to-face collections imposed by a nationwide lockdown to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. In a statement, statistician-general Risenga Maluleke said... →

Small business survey points to major relief only being likely at lockdown Level 2 or 1

By: Donna Slater 6th May 2020 Findings from the Covid-19 National Small Business Survey, which was conducted after the Level 5 lockdown was eased to Level 4, point to continued stress experienced by small businesses coming out of Level 5 of the lockdown. The survey, which was released by the National Small Business Chamber... →

3D printed glove remover improves hygiene in hospitals

By: Simone Liedtke 6th May 2020 Zurich-based creative agency Atoll has developed a nonprofit three-dimensional (3D) printed glove remover to assist with improving hygiene practices in hospitals. The glove remover comprises a piece of curved plastic that is placed over a waste bin and, thanks to a modular fastening system, it... →

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