The state has failed at developing artisans in South Africa.
“South Africa is faced with a skills shortage crisis and yet there is no value attached to being an artisan in this country. Our Basic Education system is very academic driven and we need to refocus this if we want to address skills shortages,” Eddie de Klerk, Deputy General Secretary of the United National Transport Union (UNTU) and re-elected Vice President: Training and Education of the Federation of Trade Unions in South Africa (Fedusa), said.
De Klerk was participating in a panel discussion at Fedusa’s 6 th national congress held the past two days in Johannesburg. He urgently calls on the state to increase its role in providing apprenticeships for skilled trade hands.
“State owned enterprises like Transnet had training school in the 90’s. When they were privatized, they shut down the training schools to that they can make more money. This was done at an expensive cost to the South African economy, one that we are feeling now with the global slowdown of the economy,” De Klerk said.
According to him the same happened at the about 450 technical schools across the country. Currently there is only about 19 technical schools left.
“The private sector is doing what it can for artisan development, but it is time for the State to come on board. Until then we will increasingly be seen looking at China for skills like manufacturing motor parts instead of increasing job creation in South Africa,” De Klerk said.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that the global economic slowdown and the weak demand for production demanded from all stakeholders to forge a new social contract to chart a new path for South Africa.
“More than 7 million South African wants work, but are unable to find employment. Another 4.2 million are discouraged by looking for work and not finding employment. A shocking 45% of those unemployed, has been looking for work for more than three years. This pose a treat for our economy,” Ramaphosa said addressing the congress.
He wants all South African to work together to charter a better future for all. “This is not a moment for us to put our heads in the sand like an ostrich,” he said.
Ramaphosa wants to see hope and confidence begin injected into the economy. “We need to move from a negative narrative to a positive narrative,” he said.
De Klerk said UNTU, the third largest affiliate trade union of Fedusa, accepted the challenge.
For enquiries phone De Klerk at 082 567 6638.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer. For UNTU Press Releases e-mail sonja@untu.co.za or phone 082 463 6806.
