Members of the Manufacturing, engineering and related services SETA (MERSETA) are still struggling to juggle time for production and training due to the effects of the economic downturn.

“The reduced production times most of our members have had to introduce as a result of the economic downturn, makes it harder for managers to release employees for training,” says Romiela Pillay, MERSETA project manager.

The objective of the MERSETA’s ABET intervention is to provide sponsored training to members by enabling education and training of the highest quality to develop employees and the businesses they work for.

Explaining the complete training process Media Works’ National Implementation Manager, Louis Nel says: “The first step is marketing the training to the SETA members. This has been made more difficult by reduced production times in the sector. We have therefore seen a decline in companies that can offer employees training, because they only work three days a week.”

Other factors that add to the challenge are: clients’ inability to release learners for the required hours, meaning some learners now need to train in their own time which increases the drop-off rate; companies are closing down; and retrenchment usually ends training for most.

Nel believes one of the solutions is training that does not require employers to release learners in groups for training. “Because it is difficult for managers to release groups of learners for two to three hours per day, three days a week to attend training, we offer training that accommodates such market needs.

Nel advises managers to investigate how training can be provided even during short production times rather than writing it off completely. “The current economic situation will come to an end and companies will need trained employees when the economy recovers. Companies should explore how their sector SETAs can assist them in this regard.”

The Communication in English and Mathematical literacy training is provided using Media Works’ flagship training programme, Accelerate, which is a complete rewrite of the Media Works’ training materials.