RPF Skills Development Task Group

1. RPF Skills Development Task Group Feedback from meetings of 31 January 2002 & 29 April 2002

2. RPF Resolution • The RPF be regularly apprised of the developments in the field of skills development (and technology transfer) within the framework of the SDA of 1996. • That a RPF Task Group be convened by Les Sampson to establish contact with formal structures in this field and disseminate information to the RPF. • That the Task Group reports to the RPF as and when required to so as to inform employers on: • Development of unit standards and learnerships; • Registration and accreditation of courses; • Details on accredited service providers; • Training programmes. • That the activities of the RPF Task Group on Materials Technicians be integrated into the new Task Group.

3. Task Group Members

4. Role of Task Group • To provide a legitimate forum for coordination of skills development activities, relevant to the road sector • To provide an effective means of communication within the various industry sectors • To provide a reference group for broader industry comment on specific sub-sector initiatives • To provide a feedback mechanism to the industry through the RPF • To pay specific attention to skills development related to materials technicians • To minimise duplication of skills development activities within the road sector

5. National Certificate in Civil Engineering • Five qualifications being developed from NQF levels 1-5 • Contextual model developed for structuring qualifications within the construction industry • Tender drawn up by SGB 12/CETA to appoint a consultant (close 7 May) • Draft qualifications available for NSB meeting in July • Concerns expressed related to the timeframe • Core unit standards of the qualifications will be fixed • Electives define the specific job per sub-sector • Qualifications/learnerships for manufacturing not accommodated and need to be developed in parallel

6. Entry levels for Mathematics and Communications and Language • Entry level thought to be too high • NQF 1 v ABET • Revised table approved at first meeting • Problems with acceptance by broader construction industry • Task group letter to CETA expressing concerns

7. Asphalt Industry • 34 unit standards developed in areas of binder manufacturing, HMA manufacturing, seal application and HMA application • Frustration at progress with learnership/qualifications • Asphalt/binder manufacturing learnerships • AsAc going through the registration process as a training institution • Portfolio of courses being developed • 14 courses by end of year (including T’tek courses) • Intro to bitumen • Web site (asac.csir.co.za) • Course management system developed

8. Cement & Concrete industry • Unit standards for pre-cast, ready-mix and reinforced concrete have been developed • 8 unit standards now available for pre-cast concrete • Modified for use by Building SGB • C&CI training school expected to be registered in the next few weeks • Development of qualifications still outstanding

9. Aggregate industry • 23 unit standards are developed and posted on the web site www.clas.sys.co.za • Part of the mining SGB and also posted on their web site • 25% are for cement manufacturing

10. Professionals • Unit standards for levels NQF 5-7 only likely to be available in 2 years time • Progress being made with liaison between the Professional Councils and CETA • Council for Construction and Project Management has been established • Run in parallel to ECSA and concentrating on management component • Concerns re lack on technical/engineering expertise and experience • Presentation from ECSA at next RPF

11. Tertiary institutions • Scoping exercise of course and course content being carried out by SANRAL chair in association with AsAc • Analysis complete by mid-June • Strategies and actions will be developed based on the outcome of the survey

12. Materials testingunit standards/learnerships/qualification • Scoping exercise at a workshop in March • Lack of progress a concern • Funding constraints • Meeting with CETA