2010 – A Year of Hope for the Metal Industry?

Welcome to the SEIFSA website and to the New Year.

We have high hopes for a slow but positive recovery of the South African economy this year following the 0.9% economic growth experienced during the third quarter last year and a similar growth trend being expected for the last quarter – officially moving us out of the worst recession experienced in SEIFSA’s long history. Although the country’s economic growth capacity has been devastated over the past 18 months or so, we nevertheless anticipate that we could see a very slight rise  in growth of between 1% – 2% during the course of this year.

We sincerely hope that each of our member companies will experience more favourable and positive trading conditions this year and we, as always, remain available to provide whatever advice and assistance is necessary to help achieve this goal.

Very best wishes for a successful New Year!

David Carson and all the SEIFSA Staff

THE MERSETA VOUCHER IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT (VIP) BACK ON TRACK
Posted on 11 January 2010

The Merseta VIP aimed at boosting training by providing funded training for employees of small and medium enterprises is back on track after a temporary suspension in November last year to allow for a system clean-up.

An external evaluation of the project has also been approved by the Governing Board to review the project and formulation recommendations on design improvements for the next phase of the project which commences on 1 April.

Website: www.mersetatrainingvouchers.org.za

SEIFSA Workshops 2010
January - June

(Click here) for the 2010 workshop listing..

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING AGREES TO EXTEND THE CURRENT SETA LANDSCAPE AND NSDS 2 FOR A 12 MONTH PERIOD FROM 1 APRIL 2010
Posted on 11 November 2009

Following from a recent SEIFSA Council recommendation, business recently made representation through BUSA to Minister Blade Nzimande of the recently formed Department of Higher Education and Training to request extension of the current Seta landscape configuration and National Skills Development Strategy 2 (scheduled to terminate in March 2010) for a 12 month period to allow for proper debate and consultation around the future skills development dispensation in South Africa.  This request was motivated by the need to address the new environment in the country - political, social and economic - and embark on a fundamental rethink of the national approach to skills development strategies.

(Click here) for full article...

MERSETA INVITES FURTHER APPLICATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE ACCELERATED ARTISAN TRAINING PROGRAMME (AATP)
Posted on 02 November 2009

The Merseta is inviting further applications from companies wishing to participate in the ground-breaking accelerated training programme over an 80 to 90 week period with a R90 000 discretionary grant payable per candidate.

This innovative modern apprenticeship programme fast-tracks artisan development through up-front institutional training until all the modules in the training schedule have been completed and this is followed by workplace training once the apprentice is indentured for the balance of the training period  leading up to the completion of a qualifying trade test.

(Click here) for more information..

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