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Education & Skills Development News

Civil engineering council now has over 1 500 members

By: Simone Liedtke 14th October 2020 Another 373 firms have registered for membership of the Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry (BCCEI), meaning that “companies in the civil engineering sector continue to recognise the value” of the council, says BCCEI general secretary Kevin Moodley. This brought the total number... →

Sacci says trade activity improving

By: Simone Liedtke 14th October 2020 Trade activity has improved in South Africa, with the seasonally adjusted Trade Activity Index having measured 50 index points in September, implying that half of the respondents experienced better conditions than in August. Trade activity previously improved to 37 index points in July, and then... →

Covid-19 has widened unemployment level disparities between cities, rural areas

By: Donna Slater 13th October 2020 A recent research report reveals that government’s Covid-19 response needs to be targeted more carefully to the distinctive challenges and opportunities of different places. The 'Visagie & Turok 2020' report, compiled by University of the Free State National Research Foundation research professor... →

University of the Free State National Research Foundation research professor Ivan Turok

Partnership formed to develop next generation of ethical, effective women leaders

By: Donna Slater 12th October 2020 The Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA) and the International Women’s Forum South Africa (IWFSA) have formed a long-term partnership aimed at developing the next generation of ethical and effective women leadership. The partnership’s first project is a custom programme for the IWFSA’s... →

Labour market stakeholders urged to comment on gender-based violence draft code

By: Donna Slater 12th October 2020 The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) urges stakeholders in workplaces to make submissions on the Draft Code of Good on the Prevention and Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work before October 21. The code provides a framework for the interpretation and implementation... →

Consultancy urges government to revive R&D spend

By: Marleny Arnoldi 6th October 2020 Consultancy Cova Advisory has called on government to boost its support for research and development (R&D) in South Africa forts to help weather the economic storm that Covid-19 has brought about. Director Tumelo Chipfupa on October 1 hosted a webinar about the impact of the pandemic on the R&D... →

Inaugural public−private training programme for African infrastructure sector starts

By: Simone Liedtke 6th October 2020 The Global Infrastructure Hub (GI Hub) and Meridian have announced the start of training for the first cohort of fellows of the Africa Infrastructure Fellowship Program (AIFP). The AIFP is a public−private initiative designed to upskill African government infrastructure specialists and enable... →

South Africa lacks political might, original thinking required to tackle unemployment crisis, says BLSA CEO

By: Donna Slater 5th October 2020 Although the Covid-19 crisis was always going to cause an unemployment crisis, Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso says, to her mind, the problem is a lack of “original thinking and political courage” to make radical changes to how employment works in South Africa.  She explains that... →

BOC says contingency plans in place for Gautrain strike

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 5th October 2020 Operator of the Gautrain, the Bombela Operating Company (BOC), says it will implement a contingency plan to ensure it is able to still deliver a train service to its passengers after trade union, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) announced that its members would embark on... →

Numsa serves notice for Gautrain strike

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 2nd October 2020 Trade union the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) on October 2 issued a notice to strike at the Bombela Operating Company (BOC) − the management and operating company for the Gautrain. The union said its members would, as of the morning of October 5, go on an indefinite... →

T-Systems, Fortinet to open Cybersecurity Academy in South Africa

By: Schalk Burger 2nd October 2020 Information technology services company T-Systems South Africa and integrated, automated cybersecurity solutions company Fortinet have announced plans to launch a specialised Cybersecurity Academy in South Africa during October. The academy will be incorporated into T-Systems South Africa's... →

Wake loss could create headwinds

By: Cameron Mackay 2nd October 2020 With wind energy set to contribute more to the national energy grid in the future, owing to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019, wake loss will become more of a challenge as the wind energy sector grows, says local wind energy company Aurora Wind Power CEO Mmoledi Chisalokile. “The IRP 2019... →

Skills demand in wind sector met

By: Cameron Mackay 2nd October 2020 As more wind energy farms are constructed and contribute to employment, demand for the training and retraining of people to work on wind turbines will increase, which has consequently resulted in wind turbines safety training provider AID Renewables’ investing in improving its training processes... →

UIF to process Covid-19 TERS claims for September period from Oct 1

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 30th September 2020 The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will, from October 1, start processing Covid-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) applications for the period covering August 16 to September 15. “To apply for the September period, employers are required to upload documentation that includes... →

US awards grant to strengthen higher education network with South Africa

By: African News Agency 30th September 2020 The United States Department of State has awarded a R8.3-million grant to strengthen the US-South Africa Higher Education Network, a consortium of higher education institutions in the two countries. Through the grant, the network will engage other institutions of higher education in order to... →

Jobs picture worse than the official unemployment rate shows

By: Marleny Arnoldi 29th September 2020 It may seem surprising and positive that the figures released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) showed an improvement in the unemployment rate to 23.3% in the second quarter, compared with the rate of 30.1% in the first quarter, but financial services provider Nedbank believes the numbers... →

Numsa calls for Bombela to resume negotiations to avoid Gautrain strikes

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 29th September 2020 The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has urged the Bombela Operations Company (BOC), which manages the Gautrain, to return to the negotiating table. Numsa says its members feel that BOC is driving them towards a strike, noting that BOC is refusing to negotiate yearly wages... →

NUM supports Cosatu strike against corruption

By: Sane Dhlamini 29th September 2020 The National Union of Mineworkers said on Tuesday that it would take part in the Congress of South African Trade Unions’ October 7 strike against corruption. NUM said while it noted efforts from President Cyril Ramaphosa to fight corruption, workers were losing confidence in government’s ability... →

Skilled workers seek jobs on the streets of South Africa

By: Bloomberg 28th September 2020 South Africa is forecast to set an unwelcome world record this week when its statistics agency is predicted to report unemployment rose to a record 34.8% in the second quarter, which would be the highest of 83 countries tracked by Bloomberg. Ayanda Mbatha was among the unlucky ones who joined the... →

Structures assist in practical training

By: Halima Frost 25th September 2020 Increased interest in the training of working-at-height personnel in eMalahleni, in Mpumalanga, and Rustenburg, in North West, has led to permanent scaffolding structures being erected at safety training solutions provider KBC Health and Safety’s training facilities in the two provinces. KBC... →

HIGHER GRADE Being able to do practical training at height is now possible with the structures erected at KBC's various training facilities

New magnetic fall protection system launched

25th September 2020 Rotterdam-based fastener supplier McNetiq launched a new series of magnetic anchors for fall protection when working at height. The first product in this series, released in July, is the workplace safety device McNetiq Fall Restraint, intended for workplaces constructed of steel without edge... →

MAGNETIC PULL The magnetic system based on Controlock technology assists in securing workers when no railing or connectable surface is available

Accreditations incorrectly processed cause distress – institute

By: Halima Frost 25th September 2020 Although many working-at-height training providers claim to be accredited with the sector education and training authority (Seta), the professional body for Working at Height (IWH) warns that certifications received by trainees from these training providers are not necessarily being uploaded and... →

CLEAN SWEEP Having clean clear directives allows professional body Working at Height to equip the sector with the correct tools for safe working protocols

Pandemic presents opportunity to rethink PEPs, speaker says

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 23rd September 2020 There is a need to reconsider the approach of Public Employment Programmes (PEPs) and to structure these to upskill workers for the workplace of the future, a webinar hosted by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure on September 22 has revealed. Development Economist consultant Liesel... →

SAPVIA, SAWEA partner to assist local renewables project developers

By: Donna Slater 21st September 2020 Renewable energy lobby organisations the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) and the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) have joined forces with the Independent Power Producers Office, REEFSA and the Black Energy Professionals Association to launch the Developing... →

UIF TERS payments to resume

By: Simone Liedtke 21st September 2020 The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is set to resume its Covid-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) benefits payments on September 21. UIF acting commissioning Marsha Bronkhorst said a payment plan would be run for all outstanding payments for April, May and June over September 21 and 22,... →

ATNS launches virtual Aviation Training Academy

By: Donna Slater 18th September 2020 With Covid-19 restrictions, Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) is piloting virtual training through its Aviation Training Academy. ATNS’ Aviation Training Academy offers aviation training to several countries in Africa since it was certified as a training institution in 1996. →

DPWI, AgriSeta partner to train and certify 400 artisans

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th September 2020 The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has partnered with the Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSeta) to provide artisan development training to 400 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) participants. Artisan development is often overlooked by school... →

Breathalyser tests should be adapted, not cancelled

By: Darren Parker 18th September 2020 The misconceptions regarding the potential hygiene risks associated with alcohol breathalyser tests can have a significant negative impact on affected industries, since the safety of staff and expensive equipment can be compromised by intoxicated workers, says alcohol breathalyser and drug... →

RHYS EVANS Lives can be saved and accidents can be avoided if proper alcohol testing continues to be implemented

Covid-19 outbreak delays launch of dust suppression system

By: Darren Parker 18th September 2020 Environmental solutions company I-CAT intended to launch a new dust suppression system earlier this year but there were many delays owing to the national lockdown, says I-CAT director Lourens Jansen van Rensburg. “While the Covid-19 national lockdown halted many mining operations, the outbreak... →

A MIST OPPORTUNITY I-CAT’s new misting system launch was delayed because of Covid-19, but the company aims to launch it before the end of the year

Environmental concerns driving industry change

By: Mamaili Mamaila 18th September 2020 A disruptive change is currently underway in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) refrigerant market, global safety science company UL states. →

GOING GREEN Driven by environmental concerns, global promoters are advocating the phase-out of traditional refrigerants in favour of new alternatives with a lower global warming potential

Engineering collaboration assists local development

18th September 2020 Mechanical engineering contractor Brimis Engineering is working together with air conditioning contractor Blue Hemisphere on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) installation at the Middelburg Provincial Hospital. →

HVACR industry at a turning point

By: Mamaili Mamaila 18th September 2020 The heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry is at a turning point and it is up to all the innovators in the industry to take the lead and set a new standard for South Africa, multinational air-conditioning manufacturing company Daikin South Africa MD Koen Van... →

KOEN VAN WYNENDAELE Before the Covid-19 outbreak, the industry in general was under pressure owing to a sluggish economy with limited to no growth, a difficult political climate and a tough investment climate

Acquisition ensures increased OHS offering

By: Darren Parker 18th September 2020 Facilities management services provider Afroteq Advisory, a subsidiary of holding company AFMS Group, expanded its service offering in the occupational health and safety (OHS) sector by acquiring OHS service provider OHS Africa. Acquired in May this year, the new division, OHSAfroteq, forms part... →

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A HEALTHY OUTCOME Covid-19 has put health and safety in the workplace at the top of the agenda

CDH lawyer warns of retrenchment pitfalls

By: Simone Liedtke 17th September 2020 With a continued low economic growth rate and rising unemployment still painting a bleak picture for South Africa, law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH director Jose Jorge warns that companies will “continue to tighten their belts” in the months ahead, meaning more job losses are likely on the... →

UIF announces final TERS application closing dates

By: Donna Slater 15th September 2020 The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has extended the processing of new claims for April to September following consultations with social partners at the National Economic Development and Labour Council. The new closing dates are final, with the UIF stating that no further applications for that... →

IDC approves R746m for Covid-19 economic relief

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 14th September 2020 Development finance institution, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has approved R746-million and disbursed R440.8-million as part of government’s Covid-19 economic relief measures. Following the onset of Covid-19 in South Africa, the IDC established three interventions in March. →

UIF delays Covid-19 TERS payments to address AGSA audit findings

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 11th September 2020 The payments for the new and outstanding applications for the Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) relief benefits has been halted while the Department of Employment and Labour and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) improve controls as urged by the Auditor General of South... →

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