Skills Development Task Group

1. Skills Development Task Group Feedback to RPF 20/21 November 2007

2. Background • Original task group established at November 2001 • 2 meeting held • 31 January 2001 • 29 April 2001 • 3rd meeting scheduled for July 2007 postponed • Task group dormant pending regular feedback by LvR to RPF • B Dumas domain champion for Materials Testers qualification • Task group re-established at May 07 RPF for coordination of skills development in Roads sector • Materials testers • Pavement engineering course • Fragmented approach

3. Feedback from meeting of7 November 2007 • Representation • Coordination of activities • Materials testing issues • Pavement engineering course

4. Sabita C&CI CSIR AsAc SANRAL DoT WCPA Gautrans KZN DoT Univ of Stellenbosch Tshwane Univ of Tech Cape Pen Univ of Tech eThekwini Municipality Apologies ASPASA NLA Univ of Pretoria SARF SAFCEC CETA Organisations represented

5. Coordinating Body • All agreed the need for a coordinating body for skills development in the road infrastructure sector in line with the Roads Academy outlined in the RIFSA document • Mandate to establish a body • RPF resolution to drive the establishment • Communication to DoT to obtain support and ratification of government • Draft structure and ToR to be circulated for comment • Coordination of training & education initiative • Coordination of CPD initiatives • Coordination of industry best practice documentation • Road sector interface with CETA/SAQA/DoE • Road sector interface with tertiary institutions • Coordinate schedule of presentation • Management of RPF??

6. Material testing • Revised materials testers qualification should be adopted • Training materials available via AsAc & C&CI • 6-module Materials Testers Course • Schedule of presentation in Gauteng, W Cape and KZN • Provincial labs used as venues • Provide the classroom component • Employer organisations provide workplace training • Needs to be registered and accredited with CETA • Assessment tools to be developed and assessors identified • Interface with CETA and protocols developed and managed by Coordinating Body • NLA structures for certification of competency

7. Area of concentration for strategic plan NLA mat reg ECSA NLA

8. National Diploma – Civil Engineering Materials • Concern that this has been withdrawn for curricula of UoTs • Insufficient numbers • Qualification sent by SAQA for registration • Obtain a copy for comment

9. Pavement Engineering Course • Discussions with Gautrans since last RPF • Commitment to building Pavement engineering capacity in the Province • Aligned to EPWP • 12 Modules over 15 months • Starting early March 2008 • Includes a rigid pavement module • LIC module • Bridging course for new civil engineers, technicians and technologists • NQF level 6 – National Certificate in Pavement Engineering • Unit standards based skills development programme • CETA registration • New unit standards required • Assessment tools and assessors required • Should be driven by a Roads Academy

10. The good news • ± 25 learners from public and private sector • Gautrans to pay for course presentation • Private sector commitment to mentor learners • Contract to retain learner for duration of the course and beyond • Nominations for course

11. Resolution • The sponsors of the RPF should actively pursue the establishment of a Roads Academy in line with the RIFSA document approved by parliament and obtain a mandate from the Department of Transport to drive the initiative

12. HSE in practice

13. Thank You