MITB workshop will outline practical impact of new training legislation

MITB: FORWARDING & Clearing, the industry training arm, will hold a providers' workshop in Johannesburg on February 1 to spell out the changes in store following recent legislation in the field of skills development for industry.
The provisions of the Skills Development and SA Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Acts are expected to move the standard of South African industry training and education up a good few notches, says MITB: F&C executive director Charles Dey.
The F&C industry is fortunate in that our employee population is relatively small in comparison to the giants like metalworking and mining, and with fewer providers in proportion both we and our providers can react quickly to change.
During 1998 a team of industry experts drafted Unit Standards in the fields of customs, forwarding, exports, logistics and supply chain management.
These have been distributed for comment to industry participants and other local and international bodies.
Judging by the feedback so far received these appear to meet industry's general needs with some fine-tuning still required, says Dey.
For recognition of qualifications gained in this industry on the National Qualifications Framework, education and training material will in future be formatted and accredited in accordance with Unit Standards which have been formulated by and for industry, he said.
To meet the requirements of the new legislation and provide an effective service to the industry, the MITB is in the process of restructuring itself.
SAQA criteria are such that the accreditation system operated by MITB:F&C needs to be overhauled. and certain decisions have also been made regarding how the management of industry-specific course provision will be conducted in the future.
This will form the basis of the February workshop to be held at the Johannesburg International Holiday Inn which all providers are urged to attend.