ECA addresses training and skills woes and BBBEE, and announces Presidential Excellence Awards by Mark Botha, editor, Vector magazine
Electrical Contractors Association President Mark Mfikoe has described the inability to develop skills in the electrical and other industries as "the biggest scandal in this country".
Addressing journalists at the ECA annual press breakfast in Johannesburg, Mfikoe ascribed the skills shortage and lack of training in South Africa to the "shocking manner" in which training authorities continue to fail the country. He said the electrical industry took heart when the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) were introduced. At the time, the expectation was that funds would be raised via the skills development levy to provide training to those South Africans who had been denied higher education by apartheid, exclusions at universities and technikons, and by "financial exclusions".
Millions of rand has indeed been raised from companies via the levy, but today virtually none of the much-needed training is taking place. The Energy SETA was placed under administration in September 2010, and the electrical contracting industry transferred to the Construction SETA. Before long, however, this SETA, too, was placed under administration.
Mfikoe said the ECA had engaged Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande and former director general of that department Mary Metcalfe on the matter, but "no decisive action is happening on the ground".
The Construction SETA has failed to renew the training accreditation license of the ECA training centres in Germiston and Cape Town, and the training centre in Durban had to close down at a time when the country is desperate to swell the ranks of its qualified electricians.
This SETA has also failed to issue trade test certificates for candidates who had passed courses presented by accredited training centres. N6 electrical engineering graduates who had passed the installation rules examination as well as their trade test cannot get their licenses as registered electricians because the Construction SETA will not issue the certificates.
BBBEE issues
Mfikoe said the ECA welcomed the revision and possible introduction of punitive measures for "dishonest disclosures" regarding BBBEE codes. The association has both black and white dominated electrical contractors among its members and it sees "huge potential" in establishing commercially successful business concerns by means of partnerships and joint ventures. This route, he said, would lead to skills transfer, mega-project management, prosperity and growth in the electrical and construction industries.
Most of the infrastructure development for the FIFA World Cup tournament in 2010 was undertaken by a few established companies, which is indicative of a shortage of developed, self-sustaining electrical contracting businesses. The ECA could help resolve this situation in co-operation with engineers, architects, tender committees and government procurement strategy. The ECA is "very appreciative" of President Zuma's identification in his state-of-the-nation address of infrastructure development as a priority, backed up by the finance minister's budget speech. This shows, in Mfikoe's view, a much-needed "sense of coherence" for the year ahead.
Excellence Awards
Mfikoe also announced the ECA National Executive Committee's decision to host the first annual Presidential Excellence Awards in November this year to reward excellence in the electrical contracting industry and to recognise those who "use excellence as their standard of operation". The judges, he said, would include academics in electrical engineering, practicing professional engineers in the industry and retired electrical contractors of "excellent reputation". The Presidential Excellence Awards will be granted in the categories: Installation of the Year (office blocks; housing; shopping complexes; industrial and hotels); Best Contributor to Training; Most Energy Efficient Installation; Design of the Year; Reticulation Contract of the Year (private; supply authority, and housing/residential); Woman-owned Company of the Year; and Young Apprentice of the Year (the winner of which will represent the ECA at the World Skills Olympics).
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