Several industry and institution representatives have been commended for their contribution to workforce development. This was done during a special event, hosted by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA). A release from the Tertiary Education Ministry said the occasion also marked the launch of the National Training Agency's (NTA) Sector Advisory Committees (SACs), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) control centre and its labour market surveys. The statement said, in collaboration with its line ministry, the NTA has developed the SAC which comprises institutions and industry representatives from a particular sector or cluster of occupational areas.
The functions of the SACs included:
• Recommending occupational areas for development;
• endorsing, reviewing and implementing the occupational standards of competencies for the sector, industry or occupational group;
• monitoring emerging trends and changes in the labour market; and,
• taking the lead in encouraging companies in the sector to facilitate increased employee involvement in training and certification,
Overall the SACs will work to spearhead the development of skills to meet the business needs of sectors and industries.
This initiative is meant to ensure a cadre of highly skilled, adaptable and creative individuals is available to supply the industry's labour requirements. Several representatives from various sector/industry associations were on hand to sign a memorandum of understanding to form an alliance to form their individual Sector Advisory Committees (SAC), the release said. Line minister Fazal Karim, who attended the function, was on hand to distribute awards of recognition to the various industry representatives.