4 minute read
PAVING THE WAY FOR PHASING IN OF OCCUPATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Learners who obtain academic training and qualifications find workplaces challenging when having to apply what they have learned within an unfamiliar environment.
It is with this in mind that Occupational Programmes which are being phased in, will be offered by TVET colleges in partnership with various SETAs to bridge this gap.
Occupational Programmes are skills acquired through practice and application. This is done through Work-based learning (WBL) which is essential in developing learners and preparing them to be ready for the workplace. Their ability to excel at the workplace also grows exponentially, hence the need to introduce them in the training and development arena.
The success of these programmes is fuelled by the collaboration between various partners and stakeholders and SETAs play a key role in facilitating these programmes and financing some of them, whilst other funders and employers also play a key role.
In this regard Taletso TVET College has implemented a number of successful skills programmes that incorporate workplace-based practical learning in collaboration with various partners and stakeholders, namely:
• Operations and Finance Skills Programme with the Wholesale & Retail Sector Training Authority (W&RSETA) in which Taletso achieved a 69% pass rate.
• Bricklaying and Electrical Apprenticeships funded by the Construction Education & Training Authority (CETA) which are now in their second phase. Here 35 learners were enrolled in the programme at the beginning of July 2023. The programme is a dual system based on a German model. The duration of the programme is three years. They cover theory modules, simulation, and workplace modules before they can go for trade test. The quality assurer for trade testing is Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). The competent apprentices who pass their trade test will get a red seal certificate from QCTO.
• Plumbing and Carpentry Programme that was funded by the Provincial Department of Health. The first cohort of 12 beneficiaries are on their last phase of the programme, the fourth month. They are currently in various workplaces in different parts of the province. A further 30 learners on the same programme are still at the workplace and are expected to be back in class before the end of the 2023 academic year
• The 12-month Community House Building Level 2 Learnership Programme that was funded by CETA started in March 2023. Fifty (50) learners were enrolled for the programme. This group is back in class for theoretical tasks while they are busy with their experiential learning.
• The Bricklaying Apprenticeship Programme recruited 20 learners who are constructing a Law Clinic Building at the North West University as part of their workplace training component. The learners worked on the building from its inception. It will be handed to the university at the end of August 2023.
The Electrical Apprenticeship Programme enrolled 20 learners who are currently at various workplaces such as Bophelong Hospital, Monnamere Primary School and North West Development Corporation for their practical experience. The learners will be back at the campus for their phase 2 workshop and theoretical component.
• The 50 learners who had been enrolled for the Community House Building Learnership have completed their theoretical learning and will be starting their workplace component from 1 September 2023.
• The Plumbing Apprenticeship and Carpentry Apprenticeship Programmes that are being run in partnership with the Provincial Department of Health recruited 21 learners each. The learners are at various departmental hospitals for their practical component.
Further, six Plumbing and six Carpentry learners are expected to go for their trade tests in April 2024 having completed their 36 months Apprenticeship Programme.
The implementation of these programmes at Taletso TVET College form a strong foundation that will pave a way for phasing-in of Occupational qualifications. As a demonstration of its commitment to the programmes, the college appointed two contract facilitators for both the Artisan Program and the Skills Programs that are running on the two sites at Mafikeng Campus. Best practices are implemented in the artisan program and skills program with regular informative meetings held with the funders and the beneficiaries.
For the skills program, stakeholder meetings are held every Monday morning. All the Colleges from various provinces attend the meeting. Ideas are shared by all during discussions hence we are all on the same wavelength as far as the delivery of the program is concerned.
Central Office: Tel: +27 (0) 18 384 2346/ 50
Fax: +27 (0) 18 384 7511
Email: info@taletsofetcollege.co.za
Website: www.taletso.edu.za
Address: 761-762 Setlogelo Drive, Montshiwa Unit 2, Mahikeng, 2790
