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Further assistance from the German and Scandinavian industry federations and unions should be sought. More attention should therefore be given to the training and development of existing artisans in the system (post-artisanal training), with the artisans developed into master artisans and technicians; • The industry should advance the concept of craftsmanship or Master Trade persons (we need Masters of trades and craftsman, not “trade test” artisans); • The private sector does a lot of its own training, but not enough. There is a need for industry programmes across the steel and engineering industry sectors. • Ensure that skills levies of the steel industry are spent on conducting training needed by the industry and deemed as a priority (demand-led and employer-driven training) • A strong focus on three skill areas in firms comprising hard technical skills training, post- artisanal training and training in digitalisation and new technologies; and • Consideration and prioritisation of retrenchment mitigation schemes for vulnerable workers and training support for retrenched workers. The retraining scheme agreed between NUMSA and the auto industry is a good example. • A database of retrenched artisans be urgently developed. • The industry negotiates with MERSETA for ensuring demand-led training and funding allocations for industry demand initiatives (the industry skills development plan should emphasise the changing nature of jobs, continuous learning, technical competencies, digital literacy, interpersonal skills and multi- skilling); • Programmes be offered for human-machine interaction, and workers be empowered to work with intuitive interfaces, supported by innovative assistance systems; • Tools such as blended learning, mobile learning, micro-learning and learning on-demand be developed; • Less emphasis should be placed by the Government on chasing national targets in terms of apprenticeship success rates; and • The industry should consider adopting at least 2- 3 TVET Colleges in high-density steel production areas.
• There are misalignments for access to funding or incentives and facilities for both institutions and industry. • There is great need for an industry-wide mentoring programme for middle management and further training for artisans to become Meisterarbeiteren (the German Master Craftsman title and system).
Conclusion
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The South African Steel and Metal Fabrication Master Plan 1.0
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