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Education & Skills Development News

Protocol to ensure safety on construction sites

By: Donna Slater 29th May 2020 The Construction Management Foundation (CMF) welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s reopening of all construction and infrastructure works under Alert Level 3 on the Risk Adjusted Strategy that will commence on June 1 as a positive step in helping to reinvigorate the construction sector. The... →

PRASA administrator announces new permanent executive appointments

By: Simone Liedtke 29th May 2020 Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) administrator Bongisizwe Mpondo on May 29 announced new permanent executive appointments to the State-owned rail entity. The appointments are the culmination of a rigorous process, overseen by external recruitment agencies, as well as experts in... →

Agility needed in sector transformation

By: Darren Parker 29th May 2020 The world is rapidly changing, with the onslaught of Covid-19 catalysing and concentrating the drivers behind this change. Consequently, manufacturers need to be agile in adapting their systems and processes, remain lean and use digital enablers in a digital transformation to remain relevant and... →

CONNECTING THE DOTS Digitalisation leads to connected plants and connected supply chains, which provides immediate benefits of reliability, stability, immediacy and agility

Health and safety burden shifts onto firms as Level 3 opens way for big resumption of economic activity

By: Terence Creamer 28th May 2020 The nationwide transition from lockdown Level 4 to Level 3 on June 1 would facilitate the return-to-work of almost eight-million more South Africans than had hitherto been allowed to do so, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel said on Thursday. He cautioned, however, that the... →

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel

Africa's debt burden to rise from Covid-19 capital disinvestments

By: Donna Slater 28th May 2020 As a result of the economic impact of Covid-19, there have been significant outflows of capital from emerging markets, many in Africa, thus far this year, as risk appetite weakens significantly and capital is redirected into safe haven assets, like gold, reports insurance company Alexander Forbes... →

Barloworld warns of group-wide retrenchments

By: Marleny Arnoldi 28th May 2020 JSE-listed industrial group Barloworld has decided to institute group-wide retrenchments, in light of foreseeable Covid-19 challenges on its operations. The company expects the retrenchment processes to be completed by the end of the current financial year, with significant staff complement... →

Entries for Sasol Business Accelerator programme now open

By: Donna Slater 28th May 2020 Petrochemicals and chemicals manufacturer Sasol reports that it has opened entries for small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) in the manufacturing, engineering services and recyclables sectors to join its Sasol Business Accelerator (SBA) programme. Interested companies must be based in... →

Engineering training hub supports undergraduates to develop community-focused solutions

By: Schalk Burger 28th May 2020 A community of enthusiastic hobbyists want to assist in creating solutions to help flatten the Covid-19 infection curve and the University of Johannesburg electrical and mechanical engineering training hub Resolution Circle is focusing on harnessing this and giving local hobbyists a platform to... →

UIF apologises for delay in capturing May claims

By: Simone Liedtke 27th May 2020 The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has apologised for the break in its network which has affected plans to capture the May Covid-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) online applications. The system, which has been undergoing test runs since last week, was scheduled to go live on... →

More than one in six youth out of work owing to Covid-19 − ILO

By: Simone Liedtke 27th May 2020 More than one in six young people have stopped working since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, while those who remain employed have seen their working hours cut by, on average, 23%, says the International Labour Organisation (ILO). According to a report, titled 'ILO Monitor: Covid-19 and the... →

NWU comes up with creative solution to screen pupils for Covid-19 using cellphones

By: News24Wire 27th May 2020 In the times in which we currently find ourselves, adequate healthcare and accompanying screening are of the utmost importance to limit the spread of the coronavirus. As the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, announced that Grade 7 and Grade 12 pupils will be able to return to schools... →

SA schools make progress in getting ready to reopen on June 1 - education department

By: African News Agency 26th May 2020 South African schools are making progress in preparations to reopen on June 1 after shutting down due to the Covid-19 outbreak, although some have not yet received their safety material, the department of education said on Tuesday. In a statement, the department said the council of education... →

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga

Alcohol industry submits safety protocol proposals to govt

By: Simone Liedtke 25th May 2020 The South African alcohol industry, which employes more than one-million people across the value chain, has submitted various proposals, including safety protocols for the manufacturing, distribution and trading of alcohol, to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC). South... →

AMCU calls for testing of all employees at affiliated workplaces

By: Donna Slater 25th May 2020 The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) has again called on employers to test all employees for Covid-19 as the pandemic continues to spread across South Africa. AMCU notes that while it has consistently called for the testing of all workers, the official stance of... →

Regenesys pledges R100m to lower tuition fees during lockdown

By: Donna Slater 22nd May 2020 Regenesys Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Regenesys Business School, on May 22 launched a Covid-19 lockdown education initiative with a R100-million pledge, which will be used to reduce course fees by 60%. Regenesys Foundation enabled Regenesys Business School to make the pledge. →

University of Pretoria appoints interim dean for GIBS

By: Marleny Arnoldi 22nd May 2020 The University of Pretoria (UP) has appointed senior lecturer and executive director of faculty Dr Morris Mthombeni as interim dean of the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), effective July 1. Mthombeni will fulfil this role until such time that a permanent dean is appointed following... →

University of Pretoria executive director of faculty Dr Morris Mthombeni

Construction sector survival requires fresh approach

By: Mamaili Mamaila 22nd May 2020 The survival of the construction industry will depend on the willingness and ability of individuals and organisations to adapt to a new way of working, as well government’s commitment to address the threats highlighted by the sector, University of Pretoria (UP) Graduate School of Technology... →

DECISIVE ACTION For the construction industry to thrive, opportunism will need to be dealt with immediately and decisively

Pandemic, economic challenges to shape industry direction

By: Mamaili Mamaila 22nd May 2020 Industry trends are likely to take a new direction because of the global Covid-19 pandemic and a severely constrained local economy, says steel and value-added steel products merchandiser and distributor Macsteel. →

MIKE BENFIELD The construction and steel sectors – including the larger manufacturing industry – are “hand-in-glove”

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. →

TOWING THE LINE The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications’ National Building Regulations division assists with the upkeep of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act

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

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