US-SA partner to strengthen skills development

Pretoria - A partnership between the United States (US) and South Africa is expected to strengthen academic programs, skills development training and student support services at 12 selected FET colleges in South Africa.

The new bi-lateral international partnership between the South African Government, Department of Higher Education and Training and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will be launched on Tuesday.

The $6.7 million programme will operate over a three year period at Further Education and Training (FET) colleges in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape.

It will be implemented by the American Council on Education and American Association of Community Colleges.

The programme will work to strengthen the FET college sector's institutional capacity in student support services programs and offer a wide range of professional development programs for college lecturers.

The team will also provide consultative support through partnerships with the private sector and exchange opportunities with US colleges and universities.

In his State of the Nation Address earlier this year, President Jacob Zuma identified FET colleges as primary sites for skills development over the next five years.

In addition, FET colleges have been identified as the key institutions to broaden post-school education and training opportunities.

Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande is expected to unveil the project at the Waterberg FET College in Mokopane, Limpopo. - BuaNews

Labour inspectors to conduct inspections at malls

Pretoria - Department of Labour inspectors will this week conduct inspections at shopping malls, targeting mainly restaurants.

The inspections, which will take place in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, will ensure compliance with labour legislation by employers.

"The planned inspections are triggered by the possible exploitation of workers in this sector, as well as the possible existence of other irregularities relating to hours of work, payment for overtime and the maintenance of machinery used in restaurants," said the department's spokesperson Page Boikanyo.

According to the department, possible exploitation of foreign nationals who may not be registered with the Unemployment Insurance Fund will also form part of the exercise. - BuaNews