WE NEED TO TARGET THE YOUTH FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING

THE Compensation Fund is desperately trying to clean up a negative backlog and a historic bad service record.

The commissioner has assured the public of his and his senior management team’s co-operation. We all look forward to a functional, honest Compensation Fund over the next few months.

A privacy statement from the Compensation Fund has just been made, assuring the public that its personal information will be protected and that security systems are safeguarded and controls designed to maintain the confidentiality of all information.

The fund has also promised not to use any personal information for any purpose other than what it is purposed for. Obviously, the individual can forgo that privacy by engaging with third parties who in turn will engage with the Compensation Fund.

Unfortunately, I am still receiving literally dozens of complaints about the UIF weekly. The UIF commissioner is trying his utmost to clean up, but these experiences of faulty UIF administration are ongoing.

I do sympathise with the UIF commissioner who has years of maladministration to try to clean up. The UIF is reacting more quickly and I have noticed that the queues outside the UIF offices are running more smoothly.

When I write to the commissioner, I get a response within 24 hours. The commissioner himself refers these queries to officials who are likewise reacting quite quickly. This doesn’t mean the query will be resolved or that the person will get the service they deserve. But at least the queries are tackled.

Another entity within the Department of Employment and Labour – Productivity SA – has also had an incredibly bad image. It is looking to reverse that and is desperately trying to work hand in glove with the private sector. Private employers who have turned to Productivity SA have only had good things to report.

Our productivity ratio is still rated the second worst in the world. We have a long road to travel. I don’t believe we should completely cancel the entity, but a lot of work is needed in trying to reformat this entity altogether.

It is trite to say that small business will be the future of job creation in South Africa. In essence, Productivity SA should be setting up training offices in as many previously disadvantaged areas as possible. Its inspectors and trainers should be holding as many workshops as possible and should be competent in training small business owners in bookkeeping, industrial relations, stock control, purchasing and all other necessary factors.

South Africans are resourceful people. Those who can’t find jobs but do have a skill, can qualify to become the entrepreneurs and small business owners of the future. Productivity SA should be at the forefront of this drive to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit.

The unemployment rate for those aged 16-25 is at almost 70%. This is the age group that we need to target for entrepreneurial training.

On my travels to places such as Bali and Mauritius, I have been impressed with the way in which that age group – 16 to 25 – engage themselves in small business activity. From training to productivity we can make a difference.