Pretoria – The chances of getting decent work experience has increased for Further Education and Training (FET) college graduates in the Free State, with the launch of the graduate placement programme in that province on Tuesday.
The launch follows the successful introduction of a similar programme in Gauteng, and is a response to President Jacob Zuma’s call to make workplaces available to young people for learning purposes
Through the programme, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) works closely with FET colleges to identify graduates for work place placement upon the completion of their studies, to give them a chance to gain experiential training.
In the Free State, 1 962 students are set to benefit from the programme.
Speaking at the launch at Flavius Mareka TVET College in Sasolburg, Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande thanked the role players, who made the programme possible, for being willing to train SA’s young talent.
“Exposure of students to a workplace environment enhances the credibility of their skills and qualifications. It also provides a platform for industry to become the co-designers of the technical and vocational education (TVET) curriculum by shaping the learner in what is needed in terms of work in the particular industry he or she has studied.
“The learner placement programme is gaining substantial ground within the country’s provincial governments and I am delighted that Free State has taken the lead in this matter,” said Minister Nzimande.
The graduate placement programme will also be launched in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday. In that province, at least 2 655 FET college and university of technology graduates have been placed for work integrated learning and work place based experience required for their qualifications and for work experience.
TVET student enrolments increased by 131% from 345 566 in 2010. Minister Nzimande said they were now targeting 800 000 in 2014.
“Our 2030 enrolment targets are 1.62 million in public universities, 2.5 million in TVET colleges, one million in community colleges and 500 000 in private institutions,” he said.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) budget for 2014/15 amounts to R6 billion, which includes R3.9 billion set aside for universities and R2.1 billion for TVET college bursaries and loans. – SAnews.gov.za
