Skills audit in Mdantsane
By Tabisa Mntengwana
27 August 2009
MORE than 15 000 young and old skilled and unskilled people registered during the Mdantsane skills audit, which ended on 25 August.
Prompted by the absence of a reliable data regarding the level of skills in the district, the City embarked on a skills audit and database development project in mid-July.
It was aimed at gathering information regarding skills, experience, expertise and education, and will be used to develop a credible and up-to-date database to ensure that employers have access to a large pool of potential employees.
Following an open registration over four days, there was a six-day door-to-door campaign from 20 to 25 August for those people to register who were not able to get to the open registration venues. Household visits were undertaken in various wards by field workers, who collected information using a short and user-friendly questionnaire.
“The findings will paint a picture of which skills are needed and which skills are available in Mdantsane,” said Mzwanele Dlova, the programme manager of small, medium and micro enterprises development.
The skills database would help the municipality draw up a Skills Development Strategy aimed at assisting young graduates, semi-skilled people and aspiring business people.
Dlova said the project was undertaken to help unemployed residents of Mdantsane get access to job opportunities and to increase the township’s economy through establishing sustainable businesses.
In addition, the City will make sure that all unskilled people on the database will be skilled through a link with local tertiary institutions.
On completion of the project, the first draft overall report will be written for council approval.
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