NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO: 725( NW794E)
Mr W M Madisha (Cope) to ask the Minister of Labour:
Whether her department had fully (a) utilised the R2,4 billion set
aside for the Training Lay-off Scheme in the 2009-10 financial year
and (b) achieved the outcomes for which the fund was established; if
not, why not; if so, (i) how many people benefited, (ii) in what
skills were they trained, (iii) how is it being rolled out (iv) how
much of the R2,4 billion has been used? NW794E
MINISTER OF LABOUR RESPONSE:
(a) The R2.4b was set aside by the Department of Labour (UIF R1.2b)
and (National Skills Fund [NSF] R1.2b) when the Fund was still
under the Department of Labour to assist companies in distress due
to global economic crisis. The NSF was transferred to Department of
Higher Education & Training as from 01st November 2009. The roll
out has been slower than we expected, as very few companies applied
for the Training Layoff Scheme (TLS). As a result the R2.4b was not
fully utilized.
b) (i) A total of 6351 employees (3085 funded from NSF and 3266
funded from UIF) benefited from the Scheme.
(ii) The workers who participated in the TLS were trained in the
following skills:
Engineering learnerships,
Operating Boiler,
Production Supply
Abet
Quality Procedure & Processes
Welding
Electrical
Refrigeration
Fishery
Health & Safety
(iii) The department published an application process guide.
Companies in distress apply through the CCMA which conduct
the financial status of the company. Thereafter applications
are referred to relevant SETA to identify training and
funding support. The last step involves the Project
Evaluation Committee consisting of DOL, DHET, EDD and UIF
staff approving the allowance to participants.
(iv) A total amount of R 39,094,086.07 (R 17,132,952.88 from NSF
and R 21,961,133.19 from UIF) has been utilized as end of
February 2011.