-
Port Elizabeth TVET College.
African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula says the party will accelerate the expansion of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges.
Mbalula says this is to address the issue of the shortage of institutions of higher learning, and to ensure that young people gain the necessary skills.
Tens of thousands of matriculants from the class of 2024 and previous years have been left stranded due to limited spaces in tertiary institutions.
Briefing the media in Johannesburg, Mbalula says the party will also tackle issues around student accommodation, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), and unemployed graduates.
“We will accelerate the expansion of technical and vocational education and training, TVET institutions to meet the end target of two-point-five million places. We will ensure that the curriculum offerings at these institutions align with the needs of the economy.
“Focusing on sectors that can drive growth, such as renewable energy, agriculture and information technology. These issues will be tackled head-on to ensure that more young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds can access Higher Education and enter the workforce with the skills they need,” Mbalula explains.
‘Growing jobs’
The ANC says it is focused on creating an inclusive economy, growing jobs and industrialisation in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, mineral beneficiation and the green economy.
Mbalula says that there will also be a review of the country’s mass employment programmes.
“We have a range of public employment programmes for instance EPWP, CWP, youth service etc but these are disjointed and not making the full impact required given the unemployment crisis we face the Lekgotla therefore received a report on the review of all these programmes with a view to consolidate into an overall nationwide and multi-sectoral mass programme that has scale and impact.”
