S. African government moves to address critical skills shortage

JOHANNESBURG, March 6 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on Tuesday said they introduced the critical skills in the country's technical vocational education and training centres to address the deficiency.

The DHET said this in a statement on Tuesday. The government have launched 13 occupational trades in high demand in the country's 26 technical vocational education and training centers. The critical skills in demand include electricians, millwright, boilermakers, plumbers, diesel mechanics, fitter and turner, pipe fitters and welders, riggers and mechanical fitters.

"The colleges have been selected through a vigorous process undertaken by teams of education and industry experts to identify trades that are in demand for the infrastructure programs as well as for other strategic programs such as the ocean economy program," said part of the statement.

"The selected colleges will be provided with resources to upgrade workshops and equipment to deliver effectively on these much needed skills," the statement said.

The government stated that the move is an attempt to address the skills shortage, unemployment and poverty. The colleges will prepare students for the workplace or self-employment through the maintenance of close working relationships with employers in their areas of study, said the government. Enditem