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|  19 Aug, 2009MANGAUNG Local Municipality, CENTLEC and the Central University of Technology Sign Cooperative Agreements Mangaung local Municipality [MLM] and its Entity [Centlec] are finally implementing its dream of collaborating with Central University of Technology in the endeavour of ensuring skills development of its employees to accelerate service delivery. Mr. Sandile Msibi, MLM City Manager, referred to a process that was started by his predecessor Mr. Thabo Manyoni in 2007. Mr Thabo Manyoni and Professor Mthembu met and discussed possibilities of fostering a partnership between the Central University of Technology and MLM to effect mutual benefit and for the municipality. This was a rising clarion call of fostering a skills revolution in the country of ensuring that critical sectors that are indispensable for growing the economy within the ambit of Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA) receive attention. Both these principals gave a mandate to their representatives to further explore areas of co-operation including but certainly not limited to training and innovation. From these exploratory talks with Prof Schultz, Mr. Poolo (Centlec) and Tsotetsi (MLM) a Concept paper was developed and subsequently submitted to the University. The essence of it all was” ARTISAN TRAINING AND DEVELOPEMENT” The University agreed that it would table the proposal before SENATE for consideration. Areas of almost immediate co-operation were identified as Electrical and Mechanical Services. The driver amongst others for these two was mainly that we already have an accredited training centre at CENTLEC and we also have fully equipped mechanical workshop. ‘I am delighted that finally the extensive exchanges amongst the tripartite signatories (MLM, CENTLEC and CUT) are now culminating into this significant milestone. Our encounters would have resulted in an exercise in futility without the signing of this cooperative agreement’. These were the words of Clr. Playfair Morule, Executive Mayor of Mangaung Local Municipality during the signing of cooperative agreement between Mangaung Local Municipality, Centlec (MLM electricity utility company) and Central University of Technology on Wednesday, 19 Aug. 09 in Bloemfontein. The Executive Mayor further elaborated that MLM recognises this agreement as the beginning of a process of addressing scarce skills needed to meet the Accelerated and Shared Initiative - South Africa (ASGISA) e.g. halving unemployment and poverty by 2014. This is also congruent to MLM Human Resource Strategy of 2008 which provides for the development of a retention policy and incentive scheme to attract employees in areas of scarce and critical skills, he concluded. According to Professor Mthembu, Vice Chancellor and Principal of the Central University of Technology, the agreement is for a programme in Municipal infrastructure where shortage of artisan skills will be addressed. However, this agreement is not limited to municipal infrastructure, but it will also look into municipal administration. Amongst others are negotiations with South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) to produce mid- level officials in accounting. The introduction of Accounting Technicians will close the gap as South Africa has a shortage of Chartered Accountants. It becomes apparent that this agreement will assist in reducing backlog in municipal service delivery objectives by delivering meaningful skills development programme. “It is therefore upon role players to utilise this space to ensure that challenges that come as result of skills shortage are addressed” concluded the City Manager Mr. Sandile Msibi. Issued by MLM Communications Unit |
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