Enterprise training

Using research findings of four studies commissioned between 2002 and 2004, and data from the Department of Labour on the now completed first Nationals Skills Development Strategy for 2001-2005, this chapter suggest that the South African enterprise training system has continued to strengthen and evolve in the period since the compilation of the 2003 HRD review. Many of the keys NSDS targets have been met. There is evidence of continued growth in training activity, reflected in wider participation. Much of the training growth manifests itself in medium and small formal enterprises, considerable training activity is also visible in the smallest very small and microenterprise (VSME) enterprise environments, patricianly of training of a less formal kind is recognised. Learnerships have shows a rapid acceleration in delivery and completion, as well as associated high levels of satisfaction with the programmes and their brand image. Nevertheless, performance against equity targets is still not strong enough, with reasonable progress on the race dimension but very poor progress with respect to disability. The data also point to huge sectoral variability in most dimensions of training. Although it is hard to impact upon training in certain industrial sectors, there is evidence of weakness in the operations of certain Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). The view of the chapter is that it is evident, from the indicators established for the second NSDS for 2005-2010, that the DoL and its stakeholder partners have identified and addressed these weaknesses, and progress in these areas over the next five years can be expected.