According to Jendamark Automation, which builds and exports electric automotive component parts, artisans are in high demand globally, with good career prospects for those who finish their vocational training programmes.<\/p>\n
However, Jendamark\u2019s Marinus van Rooyen said that the tech company noticed a worrying decline in the number of applications for artisan positions \u2013 most notably for toolmakers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are concerned about this trend and have found that this challenge is not unique to Jendamark, as our local and national manufacturing suppliers are experiencing the same frustration,\u201d said Van Rooyen.<\/p>\n
He added that South Africa\u2019s manufacturing sector could only grow if there is a steady supply of engineers, artisans and technicians who can build and fix things.<\/p>\n
Solutions<\/p>\n
Despite the challenging situation, numerous programs are in place to increase the number of skilled artisans across the country.<\/p>\n
Last November, Blade Nzimande, Minister of higher education, science and innovation, said that South Africa needed at least 60% of those leaving school to become artisans to meet the country\u2019s demand for the skills.<\/p>\n
The National Development Plan aims to add 30,000 artisans per annum by 2030; however, current estimates predict only 20,000 per year, resulting in a shortage of \u201cpriority skills.\u201d<\/p>\n
Van Rooyen said that Jendamark contributed to skills development by running its own in-house apprenticeship programme for mechanical fitters, electricians and toolmakers. The program is four years long and is overseen by MERSETA and endorsed by the Department of Higher Education and Training.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor trade-tested artisans, the world is their oyster. There is a shortage of technical skills globally, and we have found that many South Africans are being lured overseas by international recruiters,\u201d Van Rooyen said.<\/p>\n
Additionally, as reported by the Mail and Guardian, American Tech conglomerate Cisco said that it will upskill 10 million people in the next 10 years in the digital and cybersecurity space \u2013 with three million being trained in Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe youth of today will be the green engineers of tomorrow. We need engineers with new skill sets to build solar panels and wind turbines, sustainability offices and become new energy analysts,\u201d Reem Asaad, vice president at Cisco EMEA, said.<\/p>\n
In Africa, Cisco first launched the digital acceleration programme \u2013 a collaboration with government leaders to build sustainable, inclusive and innovative technology solutions \u2013 in South Africa due to the greatest short-term assurance for growth and opportunity.<\/p>\n
Cisco said that it is not only dedicated to training and education but also mentoring and consulting to help small businesses succeed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe challenge in South Africa is how to take an already young, agile, well-educated and ambitious population and give them a pathway to success,\u201d Cisco\u2019s global innovation officer Guy Diedrich said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
South Africa is facing a critical shortage of skilled artisans.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12963,"featured_media":26144,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,21],"tags":[7,26,22],"class_list":{"0":"post-26147","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"category-technology","9":"tag-apie-project","10":"tag-news","11":"tag-technology"},"yoast_head":"\n