AS reported in the March issue of PrinTalk, PIFSA was compelled to stop funding the Cross Media Training Centre in February, and as a result the College had to cease practical training operations.

This is a devastating blow to skills development in the printing and packaging industries, but we are determined to use this crisis as an opportunity to build something better.

In the interim, PIFSA is assisting with the ongoing provision of TT blocks in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Chris Mason is co-ordinating these blocks using former CMTC lecturers. We have written to MAPPP SETA informing them of this training which is still taking place under the accreditation of the CMTC, and they have thanked us for our assistance. The same lecturers and content are being used as previously. The only difference is that the lecturers are no longer in the full-time employ of the CMTC.

The CMTC has also transferred all of its intellectual property to PIFSA.

Before finalising a new training system, however, it is vital that our members be given an opportunity to be involved in the development of a solution, and the Federation has engaged the independent McManus consultancy to establish the views of our members, and to come up with alternatives for consideration. I am also currently engaged in in-depth discussions with a tertiary educational institution which is very interested in establishing an education and training partnership with PIFSA.

Whatever the outcome of the feedback from the consultants, the fundamental principle is that our industry should take control of its own skills development destiny. The Federation’s members are responsible for 2,5% of our country’s GDP and we cannot afford to leave the development of our people in the hands of others. Our members have the best business brains, entrepreneurial spirit and drive available. New skills legislation provides for the establishment of ‘communities of expert practice’ and we believe that the Federation’s membership is exactly that – a community of expert practice in the printing and packaging industries.

The SETA system in this country is due for a major shake-up with these bodies currently applying for re-establishment for another five year period from 2010 to 2015. The Department of Labour is using this process to realign and reorganise SETAs. The Federation’s Board of Management has carefully considered the composition of MAPPP SETA and other SETAs and has come to the conclusion that this is an opportune time for the printing and packaging industries to move to a more industrially-based SETA.

As a result, we have had discussions with the CEO of MERSETA and he has offered to establish a separate chamber for our industries. This SETA administers a large number of apprentices and is industrially focussed. PIFSA has written to the Minister of Labour and MERSETA to apply to move as part of this reorganisation of SETAs. We have no problem with the continued existence of MAPPP SETA – we just believe that it is too diverse, it has proven itself unable to administer the apprenticeship system, and its primary focus is the money contributed by our industries, and not the skills that we need.

Once the sale of the Honeydew property takes place, we will be in a position to accelerate the process of taking control of our own training destiny.

Download the latest Print Talk Issue April 2009
 

This is a unique opportunity to showcase the South African book industry on a world stage at a time when all eyes will be focused on the country six weeks before the FIFA Soccer World Cup kicks off in Johannesburg.

South Africa has been selected as the Market Focus country for London Book Fair (LBF) 19-21 April 2010 and a steering committee has already been hard at work, planning for this event.

The format of the Market Focus would be as follows:
 

• a dedicated South African pavilion of 250 square metres in a central location at the London Book Fair at a discounted rate



• a three-day dedicated programme of seminars and events during the fair, focused on South Africa, with the opportunity to present the size and diversity of the South African book industry



• marketing of South Africa literature and publishing through the LBF website, brochures and publicity



• a dedicated author programme in the form of Author of the Day (Some previously featured authors include Margaret Atwood of Canada, Marina Lewyzca of Ukraine, Alaa Al Aswany of Egypt, and Vikram Seth of India.)



• an opportunity for press conferences and networking events



• a Chair’s Breakfast for 150 guests with a South African speaker



• a cocktail reception for 500 guests to celebrate South Africa as the Market Country Focus



• the Literary Café and Foyles Bookshop will host authors for book signings and informal interviews



• an additional platform provided by the City of London for authors to meet the general public in bookshop signings and literary events.

• To be eligible, your business must satisfy all of the following criteria:
• Employ less than the full time equivalent of 200 persons and must have a turnover ranging between R40 000 and R10 million, (±U$1 415 000)
• Registered in Africa
• In active operation for at least two years;
• Be resident in Africa;
• Not be a branch of another business.