By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Deputy President, Paul Mashatile says all sectors of the economy must adjust to new demands for personnel, skills, research, digital connection, and alternative platforms for education, health, and public services.
Mashatile delivered the keynote address at a Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) event on Friday.
The HRDC is an apex national, multi-sectoral advisory body established to create a collective response to the national challenge of human resource development in the country.
Human resource development refers to formal and explicit activities that will enhance the ability of all people to reach their full potential and serve to improve the productivity of people in their areas of work.
The council’s term, which was established in 2010, ends on 31 March 2024.
However, government is looking into extending the existing term by six months to facilitate a seamless transition and process of appointing new council members.
Guided by the Human Resource Development Strategy for South Africa (HRD-SA) 2010-2030, the council’s retreat is aimed at reflecting on and evaluating its work in terms of the progress made so far.
“I believe that the country’s re-conceptualised Human Resource Development Strategy and Master Skills Plan will give further impetus to our efforts to address skills shortages across all sectors of our economy, said Mashatile.”
He said the Master Skills Plan consolidates previous strategies affecting skills development across the nation.
These include the National Development Plan 2030, the National Skills Development Plan 2030, the Innovation and Skills Compact, and the Medium-Term Strategic Framework.
The country’s second-in-command believes that the retreat should aim to influence the new Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) as government plans for the administration.
“It is only when the country’s human resource development priorities are in line with planning frameworks across departments, that the work of the Council will receive the necessary attention and traction it deserves, added Mashatile.
The Deputy President also shifted his focus to International Women’s Day, which is celebrated annually on 8 March
“We remain committed to championing both the cause of gender equality and gender justice,” Mashatile said.
“This meeting also takes place where the country commemorates Human Rights Month, which recognises a constitutional right to basic education, including adult education and further education, which the state must take reasonable measures to make progressively available and accessible.”
Mashatile added that the government is making a concerted effort to address the country’s skills shortage.