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Laura Crosby

Manager

Unit’s Value Proposition:

Striving to provide quality in support of the quest to be “Leaders in closing the skills gap”. Committed to informed decision making; sound research methodologies and reliable quantitative and qualitative data.
Overview

Research and Sector Skills Planning

Sector Skills Planning is a central feature of the research function at the merSETA.

Research activities undertaken at the merSETA feed into sectoral processes which include activities of the Chambers Unit. The Sector Skills Plan forms part of this process but it is a distinct activity with its own timelines and specific processes in line with guidelines from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

The overall approach to skills planning takes cognisance of the need for a credible mechanism to address the skills development needs of the merSETA sector and to this end it takes into consideration both quantitative and qualitative research methods supported by a competent research team as well as a stakeholder-driven verification process and inputs for all skills planning activities from regional and sub-sectoral perspectives.

Skills planning cannot take place in isolation of the wider economy and is heavily reliant on Labour Market Intelligence and understanding.

merSETA has put in place a research team with technical abilities to engage with subject matter experts and actively participate in DHET lead initiatives such as the Research Forum on Post School Education and Training (PSET) as well as the Labour Market Intelligence Partnership (LMIP).

Efforts have been increased to understand and unpack internal data and information to assess trends with respect to skills planning and merSETA-led interventions to meet industry demands as well as reducing skills gaps and shortages. This involves internal data mining as well as harnessing the pockets of research and key knowledge generation efforts across the organisation. It provides a context for reviewing our work as we proceed to achieve the objectives of our mandate.

1. Sector Skills Planning

2015 OFO version

2015
2017

Sector Skills Plans

All SSPs from 2012-2017

Regional Sector Skills Plans

All regional SSPs (2013)

2. Current Projects

  • Supply and Demand study

3. Completed Projects

  • Composites Research project 2016;
  • The Future of Manufacturing (in collaboration with Development Policy Research Unit);
  • Operation Phakisa skills development roadmap for the Offshore Oil and Gas industry in South Africa 2015 (in collaboration with South African Oil and Gas Alliance); and
  • Evaluating LNG to Powerskills in South Africa 2015 (in collaboration with South African Oil and Gas Alliance).