Ashok Pareek
The literacy rate in South African countries rose to 95.33% in 2021, but the unemployment rate still prevails at 27.9% amongst 35-44 years aged labor forces in the third quarter of 2021. It even stroked its all-time high, of 35.30%, in the fourth quarter of 2021.
But all these figures indicate a positive rise and fall in favor of the country’s development compared to previous numbers. Moreover, South Africa also has the fastest-growing population rate; thereby increased scope of labor-intensive growth is identified. But, it significantly lags in innovation and industrial development, highlighting an urgent need for TVET tools.
According to a report on the Unemployment Rate in South African cities, South Africa owns the largest share of mismatched workers and the lowest productivity levels (around 50%) among 30 emerging market economies. Low education levels and lack of TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) are the main reasons behind the country’s deteriorating industrial and socioeconomic development.
TVET is an education tier that teaches essential skills required in the labor force to support the country’s sustainable economic development. More than just elevating students’ employability rate to reach the National Development Goal of decent employment, TVET also trains people with practical and technical training in the apprenticeship system.
But, TVET demands high-end educational kits. UNESCO is addressing the issue of improving TVET systems globally, and partners like Tesca are facilitating funds and other requirements to help with speedy installations and improvements.
| We are the leading Exporter and Manufacturer of Technical Educational Equipment. In my 20+ years of experience in the technical and vocational educational field, I have noticed an urgent need to improve the relevance, quality, and evaluation aspects of TVET. But lack of training equipment has detained the process. As a result, all our efforts at Tesca Global are transposed to bridge the inadequate training and equipment supply gap. I think TVET must be introduced in early academic courses to enhance individual skills. TVET will not only help individuals meet their industry needs but instead will also make them handy with digital tools used in developed countries. |
How TVET Elevates Employment Opportunities in African Countries?
Two different departments rule the education sector in South Africa-
- DBE (Department of Basic Education),
- DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
Basic education informs students about the theoretical concept and helps them understand the techniques. This makes it easier for the learner to differentiate which technique works for the process and which fails, detailing the reasons and facts behind the failure, and giving a border perspective of the concepts.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training is the next and the most crucial step after gaining theoretical knowledge. TVET, also known as FET (Further Education Training) in South Africa, offers a high-quality, responsive, and transformed system to secondary school or college students. South African government incorporates this system to promote the integration of training and education, one of the main reasons behind the significant mismatched worker share of the country.
Labour Force Participation Rate has around 57% share in the 2022 South African Market. The efficiency of labor tasks depends on the level of practical skills more than just the university level of training. Since innovation and industry specialization is lacking in Africa, it cannot utilize the best of the largest labor force.
TVET trains individuals with the required industrial skills, enhancing their practical knowledge to meet the needs of the industrial market. The training session includes operating various digital tools and equipment used worldwide for innovations and productions.
According to South African Academic Culture, individuals can either complete school till grade 12th with the NSC (National Senior Certificate), also known as matric or matriculation, or opt for TVET colleges to proceed with the technical and practical training.
| My mission to improve TVET is influenced by the report from the African Union, which states that the strategy to improve the literacy and employment rate depends totally on the African Union’s vision. If Africa wants to secure its rightful place in the global community, then African Union needs to take a step forward to increase industrial and technical efficiency which will gradually elevate the economic development of the country. TVET, therefore, plays an essential role in driving this positive change, and it must be embraced as an important tool to industrialize Africa. |
Benefits of Studying at TVET Colleges-
- The college elevates practical skills for a wide range of industrial job sets with the help of high-end Tesca Educational trainers and trained professionals.
- Young students are always the priority of colleges.
- TVET colleges in South Africa are cheaper and easily accessible.
- TVET colleges usually get funding from renowned technical education equipment manufacturing platforms like Tesca.
- Government funding for learners who cannot afford further education is also provided.
Suppose individuals are not versed in the practical skills of using the machinery or imply their theoretical knowledge in the practical field. In that case, they are of no use to the company and end up losing their jobs or struggling to find one.
Colleges and schools equipped with high-quality education and training equipment help students pursue effective technical and practical training, which further helps them easily acquire marketable skills. These skills help them with increased job scope and industrial knowledge, rectifying the growing Socioeconomic concerns of underemployment or unemployment in South African countries.
| According to my 20+ years of experience in the TVET field, I am convinced that sustainable improvements in TVET will help address various issues, including gender inequality in professional fields and economic and environmental demands, prominently highlighted concerns in South African countries. Tesca Global, one of the partners with UNESCO to improve TVET systems in South African countries, provides funds or necessary equipment to organizations to improve the training sessions. We are proud to reveal that our educational training equipment has been installed in 5+ national South African universities, including- OL’Lessos TTI in Kenya,Mumford Technology University in Ghana,Eldoret National Polytechnic in Kenya,Wolaita Sodo University in EthiopiaSoroti University in Uganda and many others. We believe that introducing technologies in teaching will serve better teaching lessons and increase individual engagement in attending lectures and learning. It will also allow the learner to explore state-of-the-art-of-equipment and digital tools used in developed countries. |
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