Three pathways to intermediate skilling

This chapter is concerned with the production and employment of technically skilled labour at the intermediate level in South Africa. Three differing labour market pathways to intermediate skilling are identified, the traditional apprenticeship route, the new learnerships pathway and finally further education and training (FET) college programmes in engineering and related technical fields. The chapter argues that tin sharp contrast to the highly structured conditions of the artisanal occupational labour market of yesteryear, the three training pathways that operate in South Africa today posses few linkages with each other or with employment. The chapter concludes that better coordination is needed between the Departments of Education and Labour, the sector Education and training Authorities (SETA's), local and provincial government and employers and that this should take the fork of localized structures labour markets, built through institutional partnerships signed between the key parties operating in local and regional economies which require specific skills inputs.