Centres of Specialisation: False Bay College
The national government initiated the National Development Plan and the National Infrastructure Plan to stimulate growth in the economy. These plans include investing in and stimulating ocean-related industries through Operation Phakisa.
In the Western Cape, the provincial economic plan known as Project Khulisa focusses economic growth through three pillars:
- Tourism,
- Agri-Processing and
- Oil & Gas.
The Oil & Gas sector is probably poised for the greatest development, with major plans announced for redeveloping ports and taking a bigger slice of the oil rig repair industry. All these developments will require huge numbers of riggers and mechanical fitters for deployment to oil rigs, ports, construction, engineering and transport crews.
The government is investing in the TVET colleges to ensure that these skills demands will be met and has initiated the Centres of Specialisation Programme through the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to address the demand for qualifications in the priority trades needed for the implementation of government’s growth strategy.
False Bay TVET College was selected as the Centre of Specialisation and thus the premier training institution for riggers as well as mechanical fitters in the Western Cape.
The College is inviting industry to join this exciting venture!
With training incentivised through industry and SETA subsidisation, it makes good business sense to invest now in apprenticeships for these trades.
New Swartklip Campus
The Swartklip Campus is the College’s next catalytic project, set to trigger positive transformation in the surrounding communities of Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha in Cape Town. Located at the former Denel munitions testing grounds, the site offers acres of land and solid building structures which will be refurbished into state-of-the-art workshops and classroom spaces.
The Swartklip Campus will open its doors in 2019 for its first student intake in Rigging. Offering programmes in the priority artisan trades, the campus will accommodate an estimated 3 000 students a year once fully operational, making a major contribution to the National Development Plan’s goal of producing 30 000 skilled artisans per year.
Companies interested in collaborating with the College on the Swartklip venture are encouraged to complete an Expression of Interest form, obtainable on the official College website at www.falsebaycollege.co.za.
Download the Expression of Interest Form here
For more information, contact Jacqueline Layman on 021 787 0800 or jacqui.layman@falsebay.org.za
How do False Bay TVET courses prepare students with the skills required for the relevant fields?
Relevant Programme Curriculum
The College offers vocational, occupational and skills training programmes that provide students with scarce and critical skills and practical experience in fields that present good prospects of employment. All College programmes are examined and certified nationally and designed in collaboration with commerce and industry.
The College has a special focus on artisan skills in the Electrical, Motor Mechanics, Welding & Fabrication, Fitting & Turning, Automotive Body Repair, Spray Painting, Carpentry and Joinery trades.
Courses are also offered in Business, Information & Communication Technology, Hospitality, Engineering, Tourism, Yacht & Boat Building, Safety in Society, 2D Animation and Education Studies. The College provides alternative modes of teaching and training, including part-time classes and distance learning options.
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
Work-Integrated Learning extends learning to the workplace in a structured programme, integrating theoretical knowledge learnt in the classroom and its practical application in the workplace. The College employs five dedicated WIL Officers who provide graduates with work placement support.
This service helps connect students to job opportunities and prepares them for the world of work via the work-readiness programme.
The WIL Department at False Bay TVET College deals with three functions:
- Placement Support
- Lecturer Workplace Exposure (LWE)
- Workplace-Based Experience (WBE).
Among the special benefits for participating companies, regardless of the sector they operate in, are:
- improving their company B-BBEE scorecards;
- increasing business opportunities;
- access to mandatory and discretionary SETA benefits;
- relief staff, enabling the release of full-time staff for training and upskilling. Improving staff retention and the job satisfaction rate;
- indirect marketing opportunities;
- informal endorsement as a preferred supplier.
Having successfully placed 92% of all graduates in 2017, the industrious WIL Department invites more companies to register as host employers.
Contact the Work-Integrated Learning Department: 021 700 6400 | jobplacement@falsebay.org.za
What needs to be done to continue increasing the value of apprenticeships in the Western Cape?
Increasing the number of young people getting on-the-job training as apprentices is one of the Western Cape Government’s Game Changer initiatives. The province has set a target of helping 11 300 qualified apprentices get into the labour market by 2019 in partnership with schools, TVET colleges and employers.
The Western Cape Government have a RED Tape Reduction Unit for companies to call. They are equipped to answer questions and direct enquiries. Email: redtape@westerncape.gov.za
Advocating the benefits and value Apprenticeships contribution to a company’s bottom line:
- Quality and value: Recruiting new kills or re-training and upskilling staff and deliver specialist skills tailored to the business’s need., thereby improving the quality of business’s products or services.
- Growth: Apprenticeships increase business productivity and growth. More capable staff means senior staff can focus on higher level work output.
- Loyalty and Pride: By taking in apprentices, companies are making a positive impact on the economy and are helping address youth unemployment and helping building a future workforce.
- Advocating apprenticeships to youth and their parents: Youth and parents need to be motivated and educated about the viable and satisfying career paths that are developed through Apprenticeships enabling them to be active citizens and participate in the economic growth of the country.
About False Bay TVET College
False Bay TVET College is rated one of the best Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in the country. False Bay TVET College operates five well-resourced campuses located in the South Peninsula, Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha, which collectively have an enrolment of around 11 000 students.
False Bay TVET College has been extending its reach, embracing new communities and welcoming industries for over 15 years, while building on its long-term commitment to promoting the TVET sector. The College has strong ties with industry and the communities it serves and maintains strategic partnerships with government, the SETAs, industry bodies and both local and international educational institutions.
The College’s growth is underpinned by strong leadership and a sound administration system that was recognised when the College received the PFMA Clean Audit Award for 2016/2017.
False Bay TVET College understands and promotes the important role of employers in providing workplace experience, internship and employment opportunities to College students and graduates.
Private and public organisations now recognise that the only way to assist young people to gain work experience and increase their employability is through engaging with them and opening up workplace opportunities.
Contact False Bay TVET College
- Centre of Specialisation: 021 787 0800 | jacqui.layman@falsebay.org.za
- Centre of Entrepreneurship & Rapid Incubator: 021 201 1215 | info@falsebayincubate.co.za
- Work-Integrated Learning Department: 021 700 6400 | jobplacement@falsebay.org.za
www.falsebaycollege.co.za
Resources for Business
- https://www.westerncape.gov.za/apprenticeship-for-employers/useful-information
- https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/apprenticeships-important-tool-tackling-youth-unemployment
