Highlights in the training environment for Rail:

• 25164 employees in the sub sector have been earmarked for training in the sub sector since April 2010
• 60 Bursaries funded to unemployed individuals for engineering degrees Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, Physical Metallurgy, Industrial and Quantity Surveying)
• 300 engineering technicians funded for chemical, mechanical, Industrial, civil and electrical disciplines
• 400 artisans trained for rail designated trades (Electrical fitters, Diesel Electrical Fitters, Electricians, Welders, sheet metal workers, Millwrights, turner machinists etc)
• 80 Discretionary Grant Projects rolled out for 2010/2011to support additional critical and scarce skills, namely , train drivers, train control officers, yard officials, metro guards, trade hands, supervisory and management development programmes, ABET , security skills etc.
• Bombela Operating Company & Bombardier assisted with accreditation support for Gautrain Project
• Additional collaborative efforts with Railway Safety Regulator to standardize quality assurance processes in the training and development standard
• Accelerated Artisan Training Programme for Welder, Plater and Wagon Fitter were approved. Accredited training and trade test centre’s are currently rolling it out as a national Project with special focus and attention being paid to the period of training, the learner entry requirements and selection criteria, as well as recognition of prior learning processes.

STRATEGIC FOCUS FOR YEAR AHEAD

To continue supporting the technical disciplines within the subsector
To strengthen collaborative initiatives with FET colleges
To realign chamber business plan to support government priorities
To encourage participation of new entrants via the strategic partnering agreements entered into in the industry.