What Skills and Capacity Building Interventions are Required to Grow the South African Aquaculture Sector?

by | Apr 16, 2022 | SAJMET, SAJMET V1

What Skills and Capacity Building Interventions are Required to Grow the South African Aquaculture Sector?

Authors Keagan Halley and Andrea Bernatzeder

ISSN: 2790-783X
Affiliations: Aquaculture advisor Operation Phakisa Aquaculture Delivery Unit, DFFE; Director Aquaculture Research, DFFE
Source: South African Journal of Maritime Education and Training, Volume 1 Issue 1, p. 41-52
https://doi.org/10.47348/SAJMET/2022/i1a5

Abstract

Aquaculture is a knowledge- and technology-driven sector that requires a diversity  of skills. Such skills are often demonstrated by professionals, including those of  veterinarians, biologists, oceanographers, chemists, economists, managers, engineers,  artisans, environmentalists and researchers. Since the sector is still fairly small in  South Africa, a limited number of institutions provide aquaculture training and their  primary focus is on tertiary education. Extension support is also limited in terms of  state extension officers, veterinarians and researchers (government does not have  the capacity to service the entire sector) and there is little awareness of aquaculture  farming as a career and education option.  In 2017, a thorough skills inventory and needs analysis of the sector was conducted,  led by the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) and the current  Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).1 These research  efforts were aimed at identifying the shortfalls and future needs in terms of skills and  education and training, as well as determining the current age representation and  race participation in the industry. Data collection was conducted using interviews  and focus groups.  The study identified scarce skills and existing gaps, such as supervisory and  management skills for middle and senior managers in the sector. Increased  awareness of learnerships and funding opportunities through the Sector Education  Training Authority (SETA) was flagged. 

Skills Development and Capacity Building within the Oceans Economy

by | Apr 16, 2022 | SAJMET, SAJMET V1

Skills Development and Capacity Building within the Oceans Economy

Author Nwabisa Matoti

ISSN: 2790-783X
Affiliations: South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI)
Source: South African Journal of Maritime Education and Training, Volume 1 Issue 1, p. 53-62
https://doi.org/10.47348/SAJMET/2022/i1a6

Abstract

Skills development has been identified as one of the key contributors to the growth of  the oceans economy. Capacity building in terms of ensuring that there are adequate  resources, that is, human, physical and financial resources, to enhance the delivery  of skills development initiatives is critical. The skills shortage challenge in South  Africa mirrors global conditions, characterised by a mismatch between the supply  and market demand for skills. South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP)  emphasises the need for skills development in order to enhance the economic growth  that could be brought about by an expanded skills base through better education and  vocational training. The maritime sector workforce needs to be adequately skilled  and be able to adapt to diverse environments and technological advancements.  Inroads have been made into a bid to improve skills in the maritime sector through  a number of initiatives that have been launched. This article will explore these  initiatives as well as challenges that still need to be addressed within the skills  development and capacity building focus area. 

South African Maritime Skills Supply and Demand

by | Apr 16, 2022 | SAJMET, SAJMET V1

South African Maritime Skills Supply and Demand

Author Derek Zimmerman

ISSN: 2790-783X
Affiliations: Rand International Capital, Gqeberha, South Africa.
Source: South African Journal of Maritime Education and Training, Volume 1 Issue 1, p. 63-70
https://doi.org/10.47348/SAJMET/2022/i1a7

Abstract

The South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) is engaged in  answering the questions that centre around whether the country’s maritime skills  supply matches the industry’s demand. The SAIMI commissioned a study1 to  evaluate the maritime skills situation in South Africa, culminating in a final report  in 2019. The purpose of this study was to determine the overall demand for maritime  and ocean economy skills in order to grow the sector, and to determine whether there  is adequate capacity within the skill supply framework to meet this demand. This  exercise required an assessment of the anticipated demand and the current supply of  skills capacity in South Africa, with any surplus or deficit being clearly highlighted.  The author investigated a number of credible studies and international best practice  examples within a framework supported by the latest skills data about the supply  and demand dynamics in the maritime economy arena. It was found that South  Africa is producing graduates with maritime-related qualifications in sufficient  numbers, but not with the relevant types of skills required by the industry, which are  mainly technical and professional maritime skills. A shift in emphasis is required  to prioritise scarce, critical and future-proof skills for the growth of the maritime  economy, with a particular emphasis on the maritime skills that will be needed in the  context of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).  This work was presented to a representative platform of stakeholders in industry,  academia and government at the SAIMI Forward Thinking Conference for  Maritime Education and Training Excellence2 to review current maritime skills  capacity against future demand and to consider collaborative and collective ways to close the skills gap. The outcome of the conference confirmed this report’s findings  and recommendations to address these shortcomings.  A focussed and driven programme is required within the South African maritime  environment to align and accelerate all maritime education, research and skills  enhancement to the market needs of the maritime sector, with the private sector  directly involved throughout. 

Forward Thinking for Leading Excellence in Maritime Education and Training

by | Apr 16, 2022 | SAJMET, SAJMET V1

Forward Thinking for Leading Excellence in Maritime Education and Training

Author Momoko Kitada

ISSN: 2790-783X
Affiliations: World Maritime University
Source: South African Journal of Maritime Education and Training, Volume 1 Issue 1, p. 71-78
https://doi.org/10.47348/SAJMET/2022/i1a8

Abstract

In the wake of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), maritime labour and skills  needed for the future maritime industry are in question. The role of maritime  education and training (MET) has become even more important to equip young  people with necessary skills and support the growth of maritime industries. Based on  a review of the literature on the impact of 4IR on maritime jobs, this paper proposes  a human-centred approach to design the future maritime industry with various  stakeholders. While appreciating scenario-based planning to prepare for the future,  the paper discusses how South African readiness to technology would potentially  provide an opportunity for forward thinking for leading excellence in maritime  education and training.