The recent BHP Billiton Skills Development Summit, held at the CSIR Convention Centre in Pretoria, brought together various stakeholders, decision-makers and professionals within all industries, with the shared interest of addressing the critical skills gap.

At the two-day summit, key topics were addressed at the various plenary sessions and where delegates were afforded the opportunity to have one-on-one meetings with relevant individuals within their industry through Meetings Direct, an innovative online meetings tool, designed by Cape Media Corporation.

The sixth plenary session, which focused on artisan training, development and qualifications, was attended by Dugmore Mphuthing, deputy director of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations; Sifiso Mkhonza, manager: ETQA Department of Labour; the managing director at the Automotive Industry Development Centre Employment Skills Development Agency, Mr S'Thabiso Madondo; and Eddie de Klerk, Training and Education Committee chairperson at the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa).

The topic was based on a unified strategy for artisan development, with the aim of addressing the critical shortage of artisans and the dire effect it has on the economy, both locally and internationally.

It was agreed that there was a need to standardise qualifications and promote training of artisans across all sectors. The panellists agreed that for our country to achieve high levels of economic growth and address social challenges of poverty and inequality, employers needed to change their approach to training. On average, it costs about R150 000 to train one individual; and most companies see this as an expense. However, many felt that this approach to training should change and it should not be seen as a cost but an investment.

Close attention was paid to the past National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) and NSDSII in relation to the new NSDSIII, and the collaboration between business and labour but it was said by Madondo that focus should be geared more towards the positive outcomes that came out of previous NSDS, and government could not change the future of skills development alone. Collaboration from both private and public sector is vital to achieve proper skills development.

This piece aims to continue the discussion started at the Skills Development Summit and to create a steady flow of communication between industries and the governmental bodies who act within it.