Overview of the Skills Required for Marine Protection and Ocean Governance

by | Apr 17, 2022 | SAJMET, SAJMET V1

Overview of the Skills Required for Marine Protection and Ocean Governance

Author Patrick Vrancken

ISSN: 2790-783X
Affiliations: Incumbent of the SARChI Chair in the Law of the Sea and Development in Africa and chair of the Phakisa MPG Lab’s capacity-building working group
Source: South African Journal of Maritime Education and Training, Volume 1 Issue 1, p. 1-8
https://doi.org/10.47348/SAJMET/2022/i1a1

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the skills required for marine protection  and ocean governance by focusing on five aspects on a regional basis, namely  maritime knowledge, maritime awareness, maritime safety, maritime security and  maritime integrity. It is concluded that a focus on the development and retention of  the skills required in these regards is necessary for the state to optimally govern the  South African maritime domain in the interests of all South Africans, to ensure  that South Africa protects its lawful interests on the high seas and to enable  South Africa to make its full contribution to the integrated governance of the African maritime domain. 

Human Sciences Research Council’s Labour Market Intelligence Partnership Study and Lessons for the Maritime Sector – A Labour Market Theoretical Perspective

by | Apr 17, 2022 | SAJMET, SAJMET V1

Human Sciences Research Council’s Labour Market Intelligence Partnership Study and Lessons for the Maritime Sector – A Labour Market Theoretical Perspective

Author Mokong S Mapadimeng

ISSN: 2790-783X
Affiliations: Extraordinary Associate Professor, Northwest University
Source: South African Journal of Maritime Education and Training, Volume 1 Issue 1, p. 9-20
https://doi.org/10.47348/SAJMET/2022/i1a2

Abstract

To best understand the changing nature of labour markets and how they function,  it is necessary to base our analysis on both the empirical evidence and appropriate  theoretical frameworks. This is particularly so as theory is about real-life situations  and enhances our understanding of how the world around us works and changes.  Theory also guides inquiry into social questions for a better understanding of  how they can be resolved. With this in mind, this paper examines the findings  of the Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) Labour Market Intelligence  Partnership (LMIP) studies, and specifically the 2016 report on Skills Supply and  Demand in South Africa. This it does through the deployment of the contemporary  labour market theories. In doing so, lessons for the maritime sector, which is  presently seeking to implement its skills planning and employment creation plans,  are discussed. The paper finds that while the LMIP lays foundation for future  skills planning, its analysis is, however, not explicitly and adequately anchored into  contemporary labour market theories. This is a major shortcoming as these theories  alert us to issues that LMIP is not adequately giving attention to, i.e., the socially  structured and segmented nature of the labour markets under the competitive  pressures of globalisation and technological changes. 

A Proposed Education-Industry Partnership for Skills Development in the Marine Manufacturing Sector

by | Apr 17, 2022 | SAJMET, SAJMET V1

A Proposed Education-Industry Partnership for Skills Development in the Marine Manufacturing Sector

Author Vanessa Davidson

ISSN: 2790-783X
Affiliations: Former Executive Manager, South African Boat Builders Export Council (SABBEX)
Source: South African Journal of Maritime Education and Training, Volume 1 Issue 1, p. 21-28
https://doi.org/10.47348/SAJMET/2022/i1a3

Abstract

The marine manufacturing sector is a diverse and multi-faceted industry with  a wide range of different skills sets that often overlap with other sectors. A few  specialist qualifications have been developed but a disjuncture exists between  industry and education who have difficulty in finding a common language to  talk about skills partnerships.  Four studies between 2016 and 2018 focused on marine manufacturing and skills  provision are reviewed and their key findings elucidated. The paper forefronts  different conceptual frameworks underpinning skills planning, it questions who is  responsible for the development of qualifications and curricula and lastly raises the  divergent views of industry and education with respect to skills responsiveness and  changing production contexts and innovations.  The paper concludes there is a need to narrow the gap between training provision  and industrial work contexts. It is proposed that this could be achieved through  strong leadership and well-resourced training provision that is responsive and  flexible. The need for a mutual understanding needs to underpin any interventions  such as group training models and relevant partnerships between industry  associations and training providers. 

Applying Systems Thinking Approach to Enterprise Development

by | Apr 16, 2022 | SAJMET, SAJMET V1

Applying Systems Thinking Approach to Enterprise Development

Authors Vincent Bukelani Zulu and Malibongwe Ndlozi

ISSN: 2790-783X
Affiliations: Maritime Manager at Moses Kotane Institute; Maritime Researcher at Moses Kotane Institute
Source: South African Journal of Maritime Education and Training, Volume 1 Issue 1, p. 29-40
https://doi.org/10.47348/SAJMET/2022/i1a4

Abstract

In an increasingly complex, turbulent and rapidly changing environment, enterprise  development actors have their hands full in designing and delivering effective  enterprise development programmes. While enterprise development is a complex  system, it also interacts with the education system and labour market systems,  among other systems, thereby increasing the number of actors/agents within these  systems, their interrelationships and their connectedness. To address this increased  complexity, this paper argues for a systems thinking approach to enterprise  development. The authors will discuss systems thinking concepts, the structure of  enterprise development and their related systems. Three causal loop diagrams and  systems thinking archetypes are used to discuss enterprise development. 

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.