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The purchaser acknowledges that Seller does not make and specifically negates, renounces and
disclaims any representations, warranties and/or guaranties of any kind or character, expressed or
implied, with respect to (i) the products sold, their use, design, application or operation, their
physical condition or their fitness for a particular purpose. Only payments via EFT will be
considered and no equipment may be removed from Cross Media Training Centre until the
equipment has been fully paid for

THE Printing Industries Federation (PIFSA) has been committed to training since its inception in 1916. This commitment has been demonstrated in a variety of ways, the chief of which has been financial support of the Cross Media Training Centre (CMTC) since the MAPPP SETA stopped any form of funding of the college. Since 1993 the CMTC (College) has provided practical and theoretical training to over 10 000 young people, the majority of whom were historically disadvantaged and unemployed.

When the College was established, the industry agreed to channel a portion of its training levies towards the College, partly because the cost of providing practical training on expensive equipment necessitated a full-time staff of lecturers. Until the Industry Training Board was replaced by MAPPP SETA this arrangement worked perfectly, and PIFSA’s subsidy was negligible. After 2000, however, the advent of the SETA system, and the creation of MAPPP SETA in particular, led to a series of court cases by the CMTC to get the SETA to honour the letter and the spirit of what the printing and packaging industry employers had agreed with the old ITB. The courts decided in favour of CMTC but further funding from the SETA, of any nature, was blocked in various ways.

MAPPP SETA has failed to adequately administer apprenticeships, the exam system, the updating of course content, mandatory grants and virtually every other area of its statutory responsibilities to our industry. This is evidenced by the weekly appeals for assistance that PIFSA receives from members.

Last year, PIFSA made certain constructive proposals to the SETA regarding the future of training in the printing and packaging industries, and hoped to be seen as a strategic partner in assisting the SETA to address these serious deficiencies. Unfortunately nothing concrete has resulted.

In January, the numbers of trainees enrolled at the CMTC was fewer than half the number enrolled in previous years. This sudden shortfall led to increased cash demands on PIFSA.

The Federation has already invested some R18-million over the years in supporting the training for the printing and packaging industries, but simply does not have the resources to continue to subsidise training in this way. PIFSA was forced to notify the CMTC that financial assistance would not continue beyond the end of February.

As a consequence, the College made a business decision to cease practical training. Operations in their current form ceased with effect from the end of February, and staff were given notice of retrenchment. The effect on loyal, dedicated staff and on long-term training and development in the industry cannot be quantified.

TT Blocks to continue
For some time, PIFSA has been working on a new training dispensation to meet the needs of our industry. It has become clear that the current system of Block release doesn’t suit everybody. In addition, the content of training has become outdated in several trades.

In order to accommodate those Apprentices still progressing through the current system, PIFSA has arranged that TT blocks will continue to be offered in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban until a new system is finalised. The Blocks will be co-ordinated by Chris Mason of the CMTC, and will be conducted by part-time lecturers who were formally employed by the CMTC.

A new training dispensation
To assist the industry, the Central Chamber has engaged consultants, whose task is to provide the Federation with several options regarding the most cost-effective way to deliver the necessary industry’s skills. The target date for initial feedback from the consultants is April 24, 2009.

In consultation with the industry, PIFSA will drive a new training dispensation which includes updated and internationally-accredited material, delivered in a cost-effective way. Whatever new training model emerges, it will be endorsed and underwritten by PIFSA, and the qualifications will be recognised internationally.

Once the Federation’s property in Honeydew has been sold, the introduction of the new training model will accelerate. However, the process of change has already commenced.

PIFSA is committed to the industry’s ongoing development and the provision of appropriate training and development to ensure the availability of the highest quality of skills.

Extract for March 2009 Issue of PrintTalk click here to download