Evaluation of AgriSETA's artisan programmes against NSDS III goals

Abstract

This study explores to what extent AgriSETA has achieved the goals of the National Skills Development Strategy, specifically concerning artisans. AgriSETA plays an important enabling role in the provision of grants for apprentices to be appointed and trained and ensuring that once qualified, artisans are employable and their skills transferable to other sectors. This study focussed on the funding of apprenticeships, the establishment of partnerships, the competence of artisans, the employability of newly qualified artisans and transferability of artisanal skills to other sectors. The availability of suitably skilled artisans is crucial for sustaining economic growth and reducing poverty in South Africa. The throughput rate of apprentices both nationally and internationally, however, is low, resulting in significant financial losses. This study explores from an emplorer's perspective the programme and the necessary interventions by employers to ensure that newly qualified artisans are fully work-ready. AgriSETA functions in all provinces of South Africa and includes 46 standard industry classifications in its mandate. The population in this research consists of agricultural entities across nine of the 11 sub-sectors of agriculture in South Africa. This study holds value to the strengthening of existing curricula, the implementation of artisan programmes and the relevant literature. This finding demonstrate a significant correlation between projects funded by AgriSETA and the competence levels of artisans. The results confirm that artisans trained through the AgriSETAfunded projects were employable, competent and their skills transferable to other sectors.