Views
6 years ago

Western Cape Business 2018 edition

  • Text
  • Nedbank
  • Sectors
  • Growth
  • Finance
  • Government
  • Africa
  • Management
  • Infrastructure
  • Transport
  • Opportunities
  • Energy
  • Development
  • Wesgro
  • Vodacom
  • Investment
  • Cape
  • Business
  • Tourism
  • Economic
  • Municipality
The 2018 edition of Western Cape Business is the 11th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2005, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Western Cape. In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, there are special features on the growth of tourism (spurred by an innovative programme designed to create more direct flights to Cape Town), medical technology as a growth sector and the pursuit of excellence that drives the Cape Winemakers Guild. The journal contains a message from Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, and contributions from significant business leaders from Accelerate Cape Town, the Cape Chamber of Commerce and the Western Cape Business Opportunities Forum. An interview with Tim Harris, Wesgro’s CEO, reveals some of the recipe for the province’s economic success. Updated information on the Western Cape is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.globalafricanetwork.com, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title.

OVERVIEW Education and

OVERVIEW Education and training Tackling the skills deficit. Skills training is seen by many economic planners as the single biggest priority for South Africa and the Western Cape. Airports Company SA (ACSA), the City of Cape Town and the False Bay Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College in Westlake have combined in an innovative initiative to offer residents of Blikkiesdorp a chance to learn skills in brick-laying, house-building, scaffolding and health and education. ACSA is investing R5-million in the 12-month certification project and the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) will channel funds to False Bay College to enable it to roll out training. Once trainees have completed the National Certificate in Community Housebuilding, they will set about building houses for themselves and their neighbours in communities near the airport. The Western Cape Provincial Government has listed skills development as one of four key “enablers” of the regional economy. An intervention relevant to the construction industry is offered by the provincial Department of Transport and Public Works. Targeted training for emerging contractors is presented in regional centres like Riversdale and Worcester, and in Piketberg and Saldanha. The four-week, modular course covers issues such as site management, safety and enterprise development and allows contractors to continue running their businesses while they study. The course supports the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Another provincial initiative was launched in 2016: the Western Cape’s Apprenticeship Game Changer. Announced at the annual meeting of the Premier’s Council on Skills, the Game Changer aims to introduce 32 500 qualified apprentices into the labour market by 2019. R1-billion has been allocated over a three-year time frame. The Lawhill Maritime Centre in Simon’s Town is preparing young people for careers in the maritime sector. Subjects offered include nautical sciences, maritime economics and electronic navigation systems. The school is funded by a variety of companies (such as Safmarine Container Lines, Grindrod and SMIT Amandla Marine), state organisations (Transnet National Port Authority and the South African Maritime Safety Authority) and private foundations. Educational commentator Jonathan Jansen wrote in the The Times that the centre “reminds us what our country can still become – without any direct state funding”. SARATEC is another institution offering industry-specific training. The South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre is managed by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (Bellville campus) but it SECTOR INSIGHT • The Lawhill Maritime Centre is successfully launching maritime careers. • Communities near the Cape Town International Airport are learning to build houses. collaborates with several other institutions and private companies. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges offer a range of diplomas and short courses in many skills. Each of the province’s six TVET colleges has several campuses. The College of Cape Town (CCT) has nine outlets and caters to the central city. Northlink College is in the northern suburbs of Cape Town and is an innovator in workplace monitoring. It has three business units that give students experience: Hair and Cosmetology, the Clothing Factory, and a restaurant and conference centre. The Fitting and Machining Centre of Excellence at Wingfield has the latest equipment. False Bay TVET College has campuses in Fish Hoek, Muizenberg, Mitchell’s Plain, Khayelitsha and Westlake. Outside of the Cape metropole, Boland College looks after Stellenbosch, Worcester, Paarl and Caledon, while the Southern Cape College covers a wide area, from WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2018 114

OVERVIEW George to Beaufort West. The West Coast College also has a big catchment area. Boland College participates in an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) run by the South African Chefs’ Association. Tertiary education The 2018 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, ranked the University of Cape Town in the top 200 universities in the world and the top-ranked institution in Africa. The University of Stellenbosch was ranked second in South Africa and the University of the Western Cape appeared for the first time on the expanded list. The rankings are based on six indicators: academic peer review, faculty/student ratio, citations per faculty, employer reputation, international student ratio and international staff ratio. These three institutions, plus the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, produce approximately 12 000 science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates every year and host 11 000 students from other African countries. The University of Cape Town has more than 21 500 students, 720 permanent staff and 39 A-rated researchers (40% of South Africa’s total). Stellenbosch University is linked to Stellenbosch’s growing reputation as a technology hub. The University of the Western Cape has focused on increasing its research capabilities in recent years, and is home to several national research bodies. In 2015, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) celebrated its 10th year as a merged institution. University education is available in George through the Nelson Mandela University (NMU): Saasveld is home to the School of Natural Resource Management and the York Street Campus delivers courses in business and social science, accounting and business management. One of the major role-players in tertiary education in the region is the University of South Africa (Unisa), a comprehensive distancelearning institution. It has a student complement of approximately 30 000 in the Western Cape (and more than 350 000 worldwide). Unisa has a campus in the northern suburbs of Cape Town and a Service Centre in George. ONLINE RESOURCES Cape Peninsula University of Technology: www.cput.ac.za Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA): www.ceta.org.za TVET colleges: www.tvetcolleges.co.za Western Cape Education Department: www.westerncape.gov.za Western Cape Education Foundation: www.wced.school.za/wcef 115 WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2018

Other recent publications by Global Africa Network: