Applicable Training for Rural Electrification

Applicable Training for Rural Electrification “Local Labour Job Creation For Sustainable Growth” Presented by Claude Cogill INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

OVERVIEW Introduction and Background Electricity Service Delivery – The Challenge Our Country’s Challenges Our Role and Response Rural Electrification as an Entry Point Risks and Rewards Conclusion INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Introduction and Background There are no quick-fixes to the unemployment crisis facing our society Reality Check – Unemployment leads to:- Low Self-Esteem Crime Drug, alcohol and woman and children abuse Despair in families and communities What work and work opportunity does is build people’s morale We empower people to appreciate themselves INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Introduction and Background (cont.) We have seen the impact of the development of people Catherine Selefo – N3 Diploma, some work experience, then nothing – This all turned around when she joined a programme similar to what I am offering! Sepho Mphehlo – Joined the programme from unemployment, and has decided to pursue a career in the electrical field! Daniel Masiga – NTC 4 Diploma – no work – joined the programme and has advanced to the stage where he is training unemployed people! INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Electricity Service Delivery The Challenge • Within the Johannesburg area, the mayoral office has alluded to distributing electricity to 95% of formal households over the next 5 years • Also, with Housing delivery a Government Priority, electricity goes hand in hand • EPWP is the buzzword and government’s order of the day – We have to deliver against the mandate of EPWP • To get to 2010, we have to start now – we need to create opportunities NOW for their realisation in 2010! INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Our Country’s Challenges • Skills shortages and specialised skills leaving the country are a major talking point at present • Govt interventions include: • ASGISA • JIPSA • EPWP • Our unemployment rate is between 26% and 30% • We have to up skill people NOW! INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Our Role and Response • We all need to get involved in turning the situation around • As Municipal Engineers, Managers, Councillors – we all need to respond by embracing the opportunities that are presented to us, eg. EPWP – It may demand more from us, but it will bring greater return over time eg Revenue, Drop in Crime, Growing Communities, etc. • As Consultants, Contractors – we need to ensure that our response is to consider the importance of engagement with govt interventions at all levels – it may cost some profit or yield, but it will eventually level out! INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Our Role and Response (cont.) • Let us plan, from scratch, to incorporate elements of training and development into our projects • Let us engage with the agencies that have the resources to support training and development eg. Dept of Labour, SETA’s • Let us look internally at our resources – and see what we can allocate from within to drive job-creation opportunities INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Rural Electrification as an Entry Point There are numerous projects that have rural electrification as their point of departure – we suggest that that is the Entry Point Local labour are trained to plant poles and run overhead lines (incl. safety, basics, etc.) They are then recruited into the project by the contractor or utility supplier Once completed, they can be trained in basic wiring, installation of ready-boards, etc. Some, who show the aptitude and ability, can advance to Appliance Repair training INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Rural Electrification as an Entry Point (cont.) Once you have electrified an area, there will be a demand for house wiring, installations, etc. The very people you will have developed from the local and surrounding communities have the opportunity to apply their skills and earn an income Services and training can be extended to include SMME development You will be creating a cycle of empowerment, and for the local authority, you are encouraging growth of your region’s GDP. INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

What are the Risks of such a Programme? Level of intellect and ability at entry is low Numeracy and literacy challenges The commitment by learners could be a challenge On-site coaching / supervision creates a production / output loss At completion of training, and the project phase, the learner moves on – and I have expended my time and effort on the individual I will be creating more administrative headaches for myself INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

What are the Rewards of such a Programme? Local Skills Development Local Job Creation People Empowerment Legacy of training and up skilling cascades to generations / role models Identification of Career Orientated individuals Financial return to the local community INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Conclusion This is not the be-all and end-all There are numerous other interventions that can be offered, but within your context, and the context of this conference, this is an ideal entry point We are not addressing the entire problem – but we are starting somewhere We are called by government to address the unemployment epidemic in the country – this can go a long way to alleviate poverty We will be playing a major role in “Fighting Marginalisation and Poverty” across the broader spectrum of our society! INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Let us take up the challenge and work together to grow skills and develop people – We can do it! Thank You INDUSTRIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Applicable Training for Rural Electrification