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No. 37261
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 24 JANUARY 2014
Chapter 11: Skills Development for the Future
11.1 Overview
The knowledge economy or society requires profoundly new ways of thinking, working and
living. These include building new capacities for the entire nation. These capacities are
inevitably associated with the ability and use of ICT, and are often referred to as e-skills.
The rapid development of ICT over the past 20 years has seen many career paths become
obsolete in secretarial services, booking services, finance services etc. Many new jobs using
and developing new ICT-based applications are being created. Guiding South Africans,
especially young people and equipping them with skills that cater for these new
opportunities, building an astuteness to rapidly appropriate the new programmes and
devices into local benefit i.e. 'e-astuteness' and encouraging and supporting ICT
entrepreneurs, are vital for the future of South Africa.
11.2 Legislative and policy framework
Developing the human resource capacity of the country was an integral part of government
policies on the sector to address inequalities and to grow the economy. In reviewing the
sector's White Papers regarding training and skills development the following issues were
raised:
Transformation of the workplace to become representative of the demographic profile
of South Africa with a specific focus on those previously disadvantaged.
Accreditation of people in the sector. The South African Qualifications Authority
(SAQA) and National Qualifications Framework (NQF) will recognise skills and
compliance and will be monitored by the Ministry.
Human resource directorates will be established.
Training activities were identified for workers, technicians,
institutions and schools.
artisans,
tertiary
The ICT Charter has had a direct impact on the sector and the SAQA and NQF guidelines
have been developed. In terms of broadcasting, neither the HR fund nor the directorate was
established. However, there have been some important developments: the National e-Skills
Plan of Action (NeSPA) has been developed and the Human Resources Development
Council of South Africa (HRDCSA), the e-Skills Council, the MICT Seta, Knowledge
Production Hubs, and the National e-Skills Dialogue Initiative (NeSDI) were all established to
prioritise skills development.
11.2.1 National Development Plan 2030 (NDP)
The NDP has created a vision and has identified targets to be obtained by 2030 in order to
eliminate poverty, reduce inequality and spur the economic development of the country.
Education, training and innovation are considered key priorities for South Africa's
development and life-long learning is to be encouraged. The focus is on developing capacity
and skills amongst South Africa's people. Currently, too many people are unemployed
(24,7%) and this is especially so amongst South Africa's youth (70,9% of 15-34 year-olds).
Education and skills are key to changing this. Currently, only 3% of 20 to 24-year-olds are
enrolled for further education and training programmes.
The National Development Plan calls for an e-literate society by 2030. It further highlights
the three priorities namely:
Raising employment through faster economic growth;
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