Empowering the Workforce: City Boosts Service Quality with Apprenticeships and Learnerships

The City of Cape Town launched an Apprenticeship and Learnership Programme to address skills shortages and enhance service delivery in the Water and Sanitation Directorate. The programme provided training in water-related trades, empowering staff members and external candidates with the required qualifications to progress in their careers. The certification ceremony held earlier this week marked a significant achievement for the directorate, as 346 individuals received their certificates, boosting staff morale and reducing vacancy rates. Through these programmes, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate demonstrates its dedication to investing in its staff’s development and improving service quality.

What is the Apprenticeship and Learnership Programme initiated by the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate?

The Apprenticeship and Learnership Programme was launched to combat skills gap identified in artisan and process controller streams, aimed at developing the workforce, enhancing service delivery, and motivating staff members. It provides comprehensive knowledge, skills, competencies, and industry-recognized qualifications to enable staff to carry out their tasks with confidence and proficiency. The certification ceremony held earlier this week marked a significant achievement for the directorate, as 346 individuals received their certificates.

Subtitle: Over 300 Staff Members and External Candidates Triumphantly Graduate from City’s Programme

Tackling Skills Shortages and Enhancing Service Delivery

To address skills shortages and enhance service delivery, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate initiated an Apprenticeship and Learnership Programme aimed at developing its workforce. The programme offered training in water-related trades, empowering staff members and external candidates with the required qualifications to progress in their careers. The certification ceremony held earlier this week marked a significant achievement for the directorate, as 346 individuals received their certificates.

The Apprenticeship and Learnership Programme was launched to combat the skills gap identified in the artisan and process controller streams. It aims to cultivate ready-to-place talent, filling current and future vacancies and enriching the City’s talent pool. The certification ceremony took place on Wednesday, 10 October 2023, at Wittebomme Civic Centre in Wynberg.

These mutually advantageous programmes provide staff with comprehensive knowledge, skills, competencies, and industry-recognized qualifications. This enables them to carry out their tasks with confidence and proficiency. Participants benefit from learning the appropriate methods and techniques to use, ensuring compliance with service standards. For external candidates, the programme offers valuable insight into the qualifications necessary for employment in the water sector.

Boosting Staff Morale and Reducing Vacancy Rates

The initiative also serves to motivate City staff, reinforcing morale and retaining skilled employees. The outcomes are evident as the vacancy rate fell from 20% to just 8.25%. Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, who presided over the certification ceremony, praised the graduates for their outstanding achievements.

“We are thrilled to announce that more than 300 graduates have accomplished their goals by successfully completing accredited water and sanitation-related certification programmes. These dedicated individuals have demonstrated their commitment to ongoing professional and personal growth. As a result, 47 apprentices have progressed into new roles as artisans, and 73 staff members have advanced to the next level of permanent positions within the directorate,” said Councillor Badroodien.

The programmes were provided through registered training institutions, including Northlink College, False Bay College, Industry Education and Training Authority, Portable Water Institute, National Occupational Safety Association, and College of Cape Town. The diverse range of modules catered to both internal staff and external candidates:

• Apprenticeship Programmes for 98 participants in trades such as plumbing, electrical, millwrights, and bricklaying
• Learnership Programmes for 238 participants (including those with disabilities) towards qualifications like National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Process Operations, National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Process Control, National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Reticulation Services, National Certificate: Professional Driving, and National Certificate: Public Administration

Commitment to Workforce Development and Improved Service Quality

Through these programmes, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate demonstrates its dedication to investing in its staff’s development. By enhancing employees’ skills, the directorate not only promotes career growth but also contributes to improved service delivery. This ensures that the City remains at the forefront of providing high-quality water and sanitation services to its residents.

As this initiative continues to yield benefits, it serves as a model for other sectors to follow. By addressing skills shortages and promoting a culture of continuous learning, the City sets a precedent for others to emulate, ultimately leading to better service delivery and an improved quality of life for all.

FAQ

1. What is the Apprenticeship and Learnership Programme initiated by the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate?

The Apprenticeship and Learnership Programme was launched to combat skills gap identified in artisan and process controller streams, aimed at developing the workforce, enhancing service delivery, and motivating staff members. It provides comprehensive knowledge, skills, competencies, and industry-recognized qualifications to enable staff to carry out their tasks with confidence and proficiency. The certification ceremony held earlier this week marked a significant achievement for the directorate, as 346 individuals received their certificates.

2. What was the aim of the Apprenticeship and Learnership Programme?

The Apprenticeship and Learnership Programme aimed at developing the workforce, enhancing service delivery, and motivating staff members. It provided training in water-related trades, empowering staff members and external candidates with the required qualifications to progress in their careers.

3. How many individuals received certificates at the certification ceremony?

346 individuals received their certificates at the certification ceremony.

4. What was the impact of the programme on staff morale and vacancy rates?

The programme helped boost staff morale and reduce vacancy rates, with the vacancy rate falling from 20% to just 8.25%.

5. Who presided over the certification ceremony?

Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, presided over the certification ceremony.

6. What were the registered training institutions that provided the programmes?

The programmes were provided through registered training institutions, including Northlink College, False Bay College, Industry Education and Training Authority, Portable Water Institute, National Occupational Safety Association, and College of Cape Town.

7. What were the types of programmes offered by the registered training institutions?

The registered training institutions offered apprenticeship programmes for 98 participants in trades such as plumbing, electrical, millwrights, and bricklaying, and learnership programmes for 238 participants (including those with disabilities) towards qualifications like National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Process Operations, National Certificate: Water, and Wastewater Process Control, National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Reticulation Services, National Certificate: Professional Driving, and National Certificate: Public Administration.

8. What is the City’s commitment through these programmes?

Through these programmes, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate demonstrates its dedication to investing in its staff’s development. By enhancing employees’ skills, the directorate not only promotes career growth but also contributes to improved service delivery. This ensures that the City remains at the forefront of providing high-quality water and sanitation services to its residents.