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By Levy Masiteng
In a bid to empower students, the Finance and Accounting Services Seta (Fasset) has joined forces with Higher Health to launch a transformative Civic and Soft Skills Programme.
Fasset CEO Ayanda Mafuleka told Inside Education that the initiative was designed to help students at three TVET colleges develop a wide range of key skills, including effective communication, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, decision-making and conflict resolution.
The programme, which will be launched at three TVET colleges, delves into critical areas such as civic education and responsibility, mental health, gender-based violence, voter education, financial literacy and climate change.
It will equip students with the knowledge and tools to navigate complex gender dynamics and help nurture a generation that is capable of confronting GBV and fostering a more inclusive society.
“A programme such as this will not only educate, but also ensure that our learners feel protected and better understand the various forms of diversity. As a Sector Education and Training Authority, we are concerned about the wellbeing of our beneficiaries and ensuring we deliver well rounded talent to the sector, thus a programme such as this one will assist expertly,” Mafuleka said
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the two organisations, Higher Health operations director Nthuseng Mphahlele said the programme would be rolled out as an online course, targeting 150 learners at the College of Cape Town in the Western Cape, eThekwini TVET College in KwaZulu-Natal, and Vhembe TVET College in Limpopo.
She said Fasset and Higher Health shared a commitment to drive social change, promote a more inclusive and compassionate society, and empower young people with the skills and knowledge they needed to succeed in an increasingly complex world.
Fasset CFO Zakariya Alli and Higher Health CEO Ramneek Ahluwalia both emphasised the importance of empowering students with soft skills for workplace success and social entrepreneurship.
“(A total of) 85% of job success actually comes from soft skills. Soft skills not only have the power to strengthen hard skills and the skills economy, but to also create more jobs through social entrepreneurship, thus reducing unemployment,” Ahluwalia noted.
Both organisations expressed their excitement about the future of the partnership, with plans to expand the initiative and explore additional opportunities to empower students and drive social change.
Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate, enhancing their employability and personal growth.
The organisations said this collaboration would help bridge the skills gap in the country by providing students with the knowledge and tools they needed to succeed in both their personal and professional lives.
INSIDE EDUCATION