Thousand new learnerships at CETA

JOHANNESBURG – The Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) on Friday announced the release of funds to finance over a thousand new learnerships.

“The authority will be funding a total of 800 new learnerships or apprenticeships in scarce and priority artisan trades, and an additional 388 candidates doing skills programmes in scarce and priority artisan trades,” it said in a statement.

CETA issued an invite to construction industry employers to put up candidates for training.

It said funding would be provided for the achievement of NSDS (National Skills Development Strategy) and SLA (Skills Level Agreement).

CETA had previously called a temporary halt to the recruitment of new learnership entrants because of over-commitment to spending in previous budget years.

Despite past financing problems, CETA was able to continue to fund existing learnerships, but was not in a position to bring new learners into the learning stream.

“Following a thorough reconstruction of our internal financial management systems, we are now delighted to be able to give the green light to the entry of well over 1000 new learners,” said CEO Narius Moloto.

Moloto said all employer organisations who were members of CETA and other interested employers, as well as training providers, had been advised of the new initiative.

“Conditions for selection specify that only unemployed candidates will be admitted, that gender equality is applied and that candidates will be selected from both rural and urban communities,” she said.

The announcement also indicates that employers will be required to give candidates workplace experience, and pay them wages during their workplace learning.

Funding will be restricted to scarce and priority artisan trades, bricklaying, carpentry, glazing, joinery, painting, plastering, plumbing, shutter-hands and steel fixing, CETA said. – Sapa.