Coordinating the MQA Artisan Learnerships

I had the privilage to be involved in the co-ordination of the Mining Qualifications Authority's Learnerships on the following trades: Millwright, Diesel Mechanics and Fitter & Turner. This learning programme was the implementation of Discretionary Grants for West End Claybrick in Zuurbekom (8 learners) and for Kilo Sand in Mnandi, Knoepieslaagte (1 learner).

I really enjoyed engaging with the community leaders and community based organizations in Bekkersdal, Westonaria, and Simunye townships to mobilise interested candidates. All candidates were very ambitious and eager to partake in this programme. The selection process was robust and it was difficult to make decisions on the suitable candidates. However, the most challenging task was the actual registration of learners with the MQA. The process involved working with all stakeholders on tight timelines. I had to liaise with the lead employers, the training provider (Ikhaya Fundisa Techniskills Academy) and the MQA through 45 Degree HR (the appointed SDF).

I must point out that I learned a lot in this programme, especially about the MQA process. It was my first time working on the MQA Learnerships. However, I have previously been involved in learnerships for the National Youth Service Programme (NYSP); The Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP); Safety and Security Sector Education & Training Authority (SASSETA) and the Transport Education & Training Authority (TETA).

The eventual selection of learners; the liaison with the training provider and the registration of learners with the MQA coupled with the MQA's requirement list has indeed complimented my experience in skills development facilitation. The disappointment by the two learners who could not make it to come sign their Learnership Programme Agreements is something that I will never forget in my career.

The most valuable lesson here is: Always follow through on all parties involved in the process and never wait until the last minute to check on any activities...

Good luck to all the learners with your future endeavours!

Social Facilitation and Community Liaison

Any project is a collaborative effort between all the individuals and organizations involved. All stakeholders need to operate in synergy with each other and work together to maintain effective and continual communication between the parties. It is also important to maintain stakeholder support throughout the project, for the project to meet its objectives. We manage community participation, facilitate and manage the communication and liaison process.

We also facilitate skills development within the project through skills training and learnership programmes, to help achieve the objectives of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) and National Youth Service (NYS) by implementing a companion programme that will assist community beneficiaries who participate in training and/or learnership programs to gain access to work in their chosen industry, develop sensible career plans, and to become life long learners. This companion program will assist the beneficiaries to gain industry contact and workplace experience. With this exposure they will grow awareness of industry terminology, language and dynamics. The participants will get the opportunity to build the necessary relationships with industry players, grow their network, and explore the necessary resources and infrastructure for work access and career development. This workplace exposure and experience will also help the participants to understand their interests, values and talents so that they can align their industry and career/work of interest with their talents and passions in order to pursue their career objectives with confidence and a clear plan.

KEY FUNCTIONS

We offer a dynamic social facilitation team, an asset-based skills development programme, and the following services and products:

Social facilitation and Community Liaison Support

Consultation and Liaison with community leaders, community representative structures and the broader community members to leverage trust and relationships
Ø Communication and Liaison with service providers, and all relevant stakeholders, maintaining the essential network to ensure smooth and successful implementation

Beneficiary Recruitment and Orientation

Ø Facilitate recruitment of community beneficiaries and assist with applications, administration, and handling queries.
Ø Co-ordinate briefing sessions and orientation workshops to prepare beneficiaries for participation in the project and the skills development programs within the project.
Ø Assist in identifying and securing venues for briefing sessions, orientation and theoretical training, and with the registration of venues for payments in applicable cases.
Ø Assist with facilitation and logistical support for briefing sessions, orientation, theoretical training, and placement of participants with contractors involved in the trades related to the training.

Beneficiary Information Management System (BIMS)

Ø Record and manage learner information and progress throughout the project.
Ø Consistently facilitate learner social support and communication during formal training, on site; and through to post learnership job placements and business opportunities, using our model processes.
Ø Compile comprehensive reports on the progress and challenges of the project on a monthly basis.

Work Access Linkage Process

A life long learner development programme that adopts an asset-based approach to personal growth to enable the individual participants to make a conscious choice, identify and explore their abilities and capabilities, build capacity and realize potential through community service. Visit http://www.ebio.co.za/ to see the programme overview.

CURRENT PROJECTS

We are currently facilitating the NYS/EPWP Learnership programme in Olievenhoutbosch and Witbank. These projects include:

Project Co-ordination and Main Branch Owner: Treetop Foundation. Visit: http://www.treetopsouthafrica.com/ and http://www.olievenglobal.net/ to view the project.

Community Liaison: Steve Tshwete Secondary School (18 Months)
Social Facilitation: Enthonjeni Youth Centre – Witbank)
EPWP Liaison and Co-ordination:
1) Sandton Prison Farm (2 Months x 13 Trainees)
2) 1 Military Hospital (12 Months x 14 Trainees)
3) Waterkloof Air Force Base (12 Months x 84 Trainees)

CONCLUSION

It is our belief and conviction that Olieven Global will play a pivotal role managing social facilitation support to ensure maximum community participation in your project, leveraging the achievement of the objectives of government development programmes, and instilling a service culture in the project participants and beneficiaries. We will assist the beneficiaries to access the identified exit opportunities and to become active participants in the economy. We encourage a sustained, self-ignited, productivity and service.

For further information please contact me on 072 614 1986 or send e-mails to josh.frisson@gmail.com