Date: 11/10/2005
Source: Ministry of Minerals and Energy
Title: Hendricks: MQA Executive Preparation Programme certification event
Speech by the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mrs Lindiwe Hendricks, at the Mining Qualification Authority (MQA) Executive Preparation Programme (EPP) alumni and certification event, Johannesburg
CEO of the MQA
Representatives from Institutions of Higher Learning
Representatives from industry and labour unions
Past and current EPP delegates
Programme director
Ladies and gentlemen
It is a pleasure to be here for this function, as it is important occasion in the life of the MQA. We are here today to witness the first Certification Event of candidates who have completed the prestigious MQA Executive Preparation Programme (EPP). This is a celebration of the achievements of men and woman who have successfully participated in this programme and of the efforts of the MQA to ensure that individuals who were historically disadvantaged are equipped with the right skills to meaningfully participate in the mining and minerals sector. I congratulate everyone who has been involved in running and participating in the course.
I also welcome people who have previously completed this programme and hope they use this event to its full advantage by updating themselves on current issues in the mining industry, networking with each other and looking for new opportunities in the sector.
Background and information about the EPP
The MQA Executive Preparation Programme was launched in July 2003, with the full backing, support and guidance from the Department of Minerals and Energy. The course is aimed at creating awareness and the provision of knowledge of the mining business in South Africa to historically disadvantaged South Africans who are doing business in the mining sector or those employed in managerial positions within the sector.
Ladies and gentlemen, this course came about because of the efforts of the former Minister and now Deputy President of the country, Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. She recognised that if we are to have effective implementation of the Mining Charter, then we need to provide support by amongst other things, equipping black people with the right skills and training. I support her vision and I look forward to the ongoing and successful running of this course. I would also like to acknowledge the important role played in establishing this programme by the late former CEO of the MQA, Dr Menzi Mthwecu.
That this programme is recognised by all role players in the industry and is now one of the flagship programmes in the Mining and Minerals Sector, is a tribute to our Deputy President and Dr Mthwecu.
Programme director, from what I have heard about the programme, I believe it will contribute towards facilitating greater black economic empowerment (BEE) participation in the mining and minerals industry and it will support of achievement of Mining Charter targets. The MQA, in successfully running this course and effectively facilitating training and skills development in the sector, is therefore more than just a delivery agent but a strategic partner to the Department of Minerals and Energy.
With the support of the partners of the MQA, namely the University of Johannesburg, the University of Witwatersrand and UNISA, we have been able to provide the students on the EPP programme with the best of the best training programme. These three universities are all leading world class universities and the graduates who will receive their certificate today have a qualification they can be proud of.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that the MQA will be giving these universities as well as the University of Pretoria, which is now also a partner of the MQA, a R6.3 million grant. This grant will enable these institutions to increase their capacity and employ black lecturers in the next three years as part of their succession planning and redress.
Credit must be given to these institutions for putting together an excellent and prestigious course. And the spirit of their cooperation in the project should set an example for all higher education institutions in this country. The importance of collaboration between the MQA - the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) in the mining sector and these institutions of higher learning is not to be underestimated, as it has contributed to MQA being one of the best performing SETAs and it could become a model for other SETAs.
Programme director, the students who participated in this course also need to be commended; many of them have put their lives on hold – their businesses or their work responsibilities, as well as, their family lives on hold, in order to attend this programme. I have been informed that the course is gruelling and is very involved, with only committed and dedicated students completing the course. From what I have been briefed about the programme, which was spread over a five months period and has compulsory site visits to mines, I get a sense and understanding of the sacrifices that were made. Congratulations to all!
Achievements
To date this MQA programme has reached a number of milestones, these include:
* Ninety people have completed this flagship programme so far;
* The target of training 120 people by March 2006 will be exceeded;
* Forty-eight people are currently undergoing training, some of them are with us today;
* More than 10 members of the Minerals and Energy Parliamentary committee have been trained;
* Forty eight candidates are currently being recruited for the 2006 February intake;
The MQA has also conducted a brief tracking exercise of all past candidates. I am informed the report of this tracking exercise is part of the packs that were made available to you this morning. Some of the highlights include:
* Past candidates who have formed and registered companies as a result of the knowledge gained in the EPP;
* The programme has provided the candidates with a valuable opportunity to network for business and empowerment purposes;
* The MQA programme has triggered and nurtured a collaboration between three higher education institutions;
* The programme is leading and making a positive step forward towards the implementation of transformation in the mining sector;
* A variety of people from different backgrounds have accessed the programme; and
* The programme is attracting a lot of interest from key industry stakeholders including, labour unions, employers and government.
Investments made to the programme
Ladies and gentlemen, given the successes of the programme, I am therefore pleased to hear that the programme is planned to continue until 2010. To contribute towards the continued success of this initiative, the MQA have informed me they will be investing R4 million in the project on a yearly basis, which is in addition to the resources allocated to building capacity in their partner academic institutions that I spoke about earlier.
With competing demands for public resources, a substantial investment, such as the one being made by the MQA into this programme, is recognition of the need for to us to improve skills and training in the industry. Such an investment not only for purposes of BEE but it will also to help position our country as a world leader in mining activities. Indeed, we see the resources contributed towards this programme as an investment, because we expect to see a favourable return through the long term contribution the graduates make to the industry.
To the graduates present today, you have the potential to become the next icons and beacons of hope for our people. You have a responsibility and an important contribution to make towards sustaining our democracy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, the theme for this event, which is ‘establishing legitimacy and an enabling environment for broad-based black economic empowerment in the mining and minerals sector’ has been chosen wisely; and it conveys the connection the MQA has with the Mining Charter and supporting one of the key issues facing our mining industry. I encourage the MQA to continue these efforts for the benefit of the nation.
I also look forward to something coming out of today’s gathering where alumni of this programme and other players in the industry, are able to create a forum whereby issues such as the barriers or impediments to the stimulation of the small to medium sized mining in South Africa, can be highlighted and debated. There is still a lot we as a country and as a department have to learn in supporting smaller enterprises in this sector and inputs from industry players would be valuable.
Finally, I wish all of you who will be receiving certificates today the best in your careers and ventures.
I thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Minerals and Energy
11 October 2005
Source: Ministry of Minerals and Energy
Title: Hendricks: MQA Executive Preparation Programme certification event
Speech by the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mrs Lindiwe Hendricks, at the Mining Qualification Authority (MQA) Executive Preparation Programme (EPP) alumni and certification event, Johannesburg
CEO of the MQA
Representatives from Institutions of Higher Learning
Representatives from industry and labour unions
Past and current EPP delegates
Programme director
Ladies and gentlemen
It is a pleasure to be here for this function, as it is important occasion in the life of the MQA. We are here today to witness the first Certification Event of candidates who have completed the prestigious MQA Executive Preparation Programme (EPP). This is a celebration of the achievements of men and woman who have successfully participated in this programme and of the efforts of the MQA to ensure that individuals who were historically disadvantaged are equipped with the right skills to meaningfully participate in the mining and minerals sector. I congratulate everyone who has been involved in running and participating in the course.
I also welcome people who have previously completed this programme and hope they use this event to its full advantage by updating themselves on current issues in the mining industry, networking with each other and looking for new opportunities in the sector.
Background and information about the EPP
The MQA Executive Preparation Programme was launched in July 2003, with the full backing, support and guidance from the Department of Minerals and Energy. The course is aimed at creating awareness and the provision of knowledge of the mining business in South Africa to historically disadvantaged South Africans who are doing business in the mining sector or those employed in managerial positions within the sector.
Ladies and gentlemen, this course came about because of the efforts of the former Minister and now Deputy President of the country, Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. She recognised that if we are to have effective implementation of the Mining Charter, then we need to provide support by amongst other things, equipping black people with the right skills and training. I support her vision and I look forward to the ongoing and successful running of this course. I would also like to acknowledge the important role played in establishing this programme by the late former CEO of the MQA, Dr Menzi Mthwecu.
That this programme is recognised by all role players in the industry and is now one of the flagship programmes in the Mining and Minerals Sector, is a tribute to our Deputy President and Dr Mthwecu.
Programme director, from what I have heard about the programme, I believe it will contribute towards facilitating greater black economic empowerment (BEE) participation in the mining and minerals industry and it will support of achievement of Mining Charter targets. The MQA, in successfully running this course and effectively facilitating training and skills development in the sector, is therefore more than just a delivery agent but a strategic partner to the Department of Minerals and Energy.
With the support of the partners of the MQA, namely the University of Johannesburg, the University of Witwatersrand and UNISA, we have been able to provide the students on the EPP programme with the best of the best training programme. These three universities are all leading world class universities and the graduates who will receive their certificate today have a qualification they can be proud of.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that the MQA will be giving these universities as well as the University of Pretoria, which is now also a partner of the MQA, a R6.3 million grant. This grant will enable these institutions to increase their capacity and employ black lecturers in the next three years as part of their succession planning and redress.
Credit must be given to these institutions for putting together an excellent and prestigious course. And the spirit of their cooperation in the project should set an example for all higher education institutions in this country. The importance of collaboration between the MQA - the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) in the mining sector and these institutions of higher learning is not to be underestimated, as it has contributed to MQA being one of the best performing SETAs and it could become a model for other SETAs.
Programme director, the students who participated in this course also need to be commended; many of them have put their lives on hold – their businesses or their work responsibilities, as well as, their family lives on hold, in order to attend this programme. I have been informed that the course is gruelling and is very involved, with only committed and dedicated students completing the course. From what I have been briefed about the programme, which was spread over a five months period and has compulsory site visits to mines, I get a sense and understanding of the sacrifices that were made. Congratulations to all!
Achievements
To date this MQA programme has reached a number of milestones, these include:
* Ninety people have completed this flagship programme so far;
* The target of training 120 people by March 2006 will be exceeded;
* Forty-eight people are currently undergoing training, some of them are with us today;
* More than 10 members of the Minerals and Energy Parliamentary committee have been trained;
* Forty eight candidates are currently being recruited for the 2006 February intake;
The MQA has also conducted a brief tracking exercise of all past candidates. I am informed the report of this tracking exercise is part of the packs that were made available to you this morning. Some of the highlights include:
* Past candidates who have formed and registered companies as a result of the knowledge gained in the EPP;
* The programme has provided the candidates with a valuable opportunity to network for business and empowerment purposes;
* The MQA programme has triggered and nurtured a collaboration between three higher education institutions;
* The programme is leading and making a positive step forward towards the implementation of transformation in the mining sector;
* A variety of people from different backgrounds have accessed the programme; and
* The programme is attracting a lot of interest from key industry stakeholders including, labour unions, employers and government.
Investments made to the programme
Ladies and gentlemen, given the successes of the programme, I am therefore pleased to hear that the programme is planned to continue until 2010. To contribute towards the continued success of this initiative, the MQA have informed me they will be investing R4 million in the project on a yearly basis, which is in addition to the resources allocated to building capacity in their partner academic institutions that I spoke about earlier.
With competing demands for public resources, a substantial investment, such as the one being made by the MQA into this programme, is recognition of the need for to us to improve skills and training in the industry. Such an investment not only for purposes of BEE but it will also to help position our country as a world leader in mining activities. Indeed, we see the resources contributed towards this programme as an investment, because we expect to see a favourable return through the long term contribution the graduates make to the industry.
To the graduates present today, you have the potential to become the next icons and beacons of hope for our people. You have a responsibility and an important contribution to make towards sustaining our democracy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, the theme for this event, which is ‘establishing legitimacy and an enabling environment for broad-based black economic empowerment in the mining and minerals sector’ has been chosen wisely; and it conveys the connection the MQA has with the Mining Charter and supporting one of the key issues facing our mining industry. I encourage the MQA to continue these efforts for the benefit of the nation.
I also look forward to something coming out of today’s gathering where alumni of this programme and other players in the industry, are able to create a forum whereby issues such as the barriers or impediments to the stimulation of the small to medium sized mining in South Africa, can be highlighted and debated. There is still a lot we as a country and as a department have to learn in supporting smaller enterprises in this sector and inputs from industry players would be valuable.
Finally, I wish all of you who will be receiving certificates today the best in your careers and ventures.
I thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Minerals and Energy
11 October 2005
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