College of Cape Town is encouraging organisations to partner with the college by offering placements to its students, thus giving the students opportunities to gain experience in the workplace.
In February 2013, Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Blade Nzimande officially declared 2013 the ‘Year of the Artisan’. One of the greatest challenges facing South Africa’s economy is the lack of skilled artisans to tackle the country’s strategic infrastructure projects (SIPs). The SIPs include the building of power plants, educational facilities, roads and harbours etc.
Companies can benefit from this program by improving productivity by having skilled learners on board. The placement can also be used as a screening process for potential future employees, elimitating costs and effort associated with a lengthy recruitment process. The placements may also contribute positively to your company’s Corporate Social Investment status.
The College of Cape Town continues to endorse the spirit of 2013, which was The Year of the Artisan, and the view that artisanal trades are viable and valuable career options for South Africa’s youth.
Following the strong response to the ‘Year of the Artisan’ initiative, Mduduzi Manana, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, has called for a ‘Decade of the Artisan’.