Agri training must be tailored to future needs - AgriSETA

The agricultural sector forms an integral part of South Africa’s economic development objectives and food security. To safeguard the future of the sector, it is important that young people consider careers in agriculture, said Christo van der Rheede, chairperson of AgriSETA.

Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, he said AgriSETA was working towards aligning training to the future demands of the industry. “We cannot continue with the old way of training. We need to find alternative ways to grow food, while conserving the environment.”

According to Van der Rheede, the AgriSETA’s Agricultural Sector Skills Plan 2018/19 identified a specific set of scarce skills gaps in the sector.

The skills outlined in this document would frame AgriSETA’s skills development priorities. The report also outlined the difficulties encountered in filling certain hardto-fill job categories. These included veterinarians, agricultural scientists, farm managers, agricultural produce inspectors, agricultural engineers, industrial machinery mechanics, mobile plant operators, operations managers, mixed crop and livestock farmworkers, research and development managers, agriculture consultants, and extension officers.

Two major challenges outlined in the document, which pointed to the current skills gaps in the sector, were, firstly, that those who would benefit most from AgriSETA NQF interventions were often deemed ineligible because they did not have the requisite literacy and numeracy skills. Secondly, the skills gaps and scarce skills mentioned by employers were often expertise that pertained to higher NQF job levels not supported by AgriSETA learnerships.

To ensure that unskilled workers gained access to opportunities offered by AgriSETA, prior learning as well as adult education and training should be recognised, so that these workers could access learnerships to improve their livelihoods. In addition, AgriSETA needed to ring-fence funding for bursaries, experiential learning and mentorships to bridge the skills gaps that existed, the plan said. –