2014-2024: “The Decade of the Artisan”

A matter of concern raised by students during the 2014 elections was the lack of employment opportunities for qualified graduates. The current skills market has undergone various changes in line with the future needs of the economy.

In the briefing by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to the Higher Education and Training Portfolio Committee on 2 July 2014, the Committee Researcher, Mr L Komle, alluded to the sentiments of the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande with regard to prioritising artisanship.

Mr Komle indicated that the Deputy Minister declared that 2013 was the year of the artisan and that the 2014 budget should accommodate this goal. However, Mr Komle was corrected by Minister Nzimande by indicating that 2013 was the establishment of the flagship programme and that the long-term advocacy programme will be termed from 2014 – 2024.

The 2011 consensus indicated that 3.3 million South Africans in the transition period, namely ages 15 to 24, are not in education, training or employment and the advocacy programme aims to address the needs of this cohort through providing skills relevant to the current and future skills-related needs of the economy.

Minister Nzimande stated that the nation cannot be solely academically-oriented and that the Department intends to fulfil the aims of the 2013 to 2023 “Decade of the Artisan” by implementing a focused 10 year plan. The Minster’s sentiments were shared by Committee member Ms J Kilian (ANC) who noted that International success for the economy is not guaranteed solely by universities but also vocational and training centres.

Minister Nzimande indicated that Deputy Minister Manana, as a “young man” will lead the project to convince South African youth that being a 21st Century artisan is “cool”. It was indicated that the goal of the project is to produce 30 000 artisans per annum by 2030 in order to meet its outcome of creating “a skilled and capable workforce to support and inclusive growth path”.

DHET indicated that the current ratio of universities to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions is three to one and that their goal is to invert this ratio to three TVETs per university by the year 2030.

However, various challenges to the project were identified by the Committee. It was noted by Committee Member Prof Bozzoli (DA) that TVETs are prone to maladministration and that there is a lack of strategic input and budget to address this concern with regard to providing a quality service.

Kilian noted that university is perceived as the highest standard of quality education and qualification. She reaffirmed the necessity to make artisanship “sexy” however questioned how this entrenched perception will be successfully addressed by the Department.

The nation is currently producing 13 000 qualified artisans per year which requires an increase in qualifications by more than double the current standard by the year 2030. There appears to be a high expectation regarding the successes of this programme and a sustained belief that this programme will meet its aims, targets and address the needs of unemployed graduates is evident.

By Stephanie Naidoo