Department of Education: News

Partnering in Addressing Skills Shortage in Gauteng

The Corporate World is beginning to do its bit to support a culture of teaching and learning in Gauteng schools.

The Joy Mining Machinery (JMM) South Africa, initiated a skills development partnership with the Jabulani Technical High School. The company's managing director Kevin Brogan said the partnership was a future investment which will help the school to buy equipments needed. JMM South Africa which has donated R500, 000 to the school said it will continue to give the school the same amount for the next two years.

“During the three year partnership, I hope to attract the learners who perform to the best of their ability as I would like them to think of JMM South Africa as a preferred employer when they get into the labour market,” Brogan said.

Welcoming the initiative, the Jabulani Technical High School's Principal Raymond Mbense said JMM South Africa has challenged other companies in the mining industry to emulate the company's example of nurturing skills in under-privileged communities.

Mbense noted that it was up to the student to prove themselves in order for JMM South Africa to help them with bursaries to further their studies after their have completed their matric.

The donation is seen by the GDE as a continuation of enhancing the technical skills of the learners at the school. GDE said this will also assist in tackling the scarce and critical shortages, crucial to sustainable human resource development which will address skills shortages in the Gauteng Province and South Africa at large.

“We see this generous donation as a presentation of hope to us, to enable us to access opportunities that have been made available for the youth of South Africa more especially those who come from previously-excluded communities” said Phumza Qoyi who is the president of the RCL at the school.

GDE welcomed the donation and encouraged the learners at the school to take advantage of such chances so that they can access opportunities presented by South Africa's young democracy.