by Thembeka Manetje
In an era driven by digital transformation, the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) has partnered with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in 2020 to address significant challenges in the skills, education and training sector. Spearheaded by Prof Pius Owolawi, the current MICT SETA 4IR Research Chair holder and Assistant Dean for Industry Liaison, Special Projects and Work Integrated Learning at TUT’s Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FoICT), this collaboration is shaping the future of how learners, institutions, and organisations interact in the skills development landscape.
Inefficiencies of legacy systems within the SETAs landscape have significantly hindered service delivery, creating a host of challenges that affect operational effectiveness and stakeholder experiences. These outdated, fragmented systems have led to high procurement and maintenance costs, poor audit outcomes and frequent data inconsistencies due to system changes. Additionally, learners often face barriers to accessing opportunities due to processing delays and systemic inefficiencies, further exacerbating the skills development gap.
To address these challenges, MICT SETA and TUT are driving a transformative approach that integrates a resource-sharing model aligned with the triple helix agenda. This strategic collaboration between academia, industry and government aims to create a more efficient, cost-effective and interoperable system that enhances transparency, improves data integrity and accelerates service delivery. By leveraging this model, SETAs can optimise resource utilisation, minimize redundancies and ensure a seamless, learner-cantered experience, ultimately strengthening South Africa’s skills development ecosystem.
At the heart of this transformative collaboration is the development of an Integrated Learner Management System (ILMS). Piloted in the 2022/23 fiscal year, the ILMS is already making a significant impact. This unified platform automates processes across Mandatory and Discretionary Grants, Education, Training, Quality Assurance (ETQA) processes, payments and reporting – all while enhancing data integrity, streamlining operations and reducing operational costs.
By centralising these essential functions, the ILMS ensures that learners are not left behind due to administrative inefficiencies and provides a seamless experience for all stakeholders involved. It is a pivotal component in supporting the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) Vision 2030, further consolidating MICT SETA’s commitment to building a responsive and efficient education system.
This collaboration is not only about solving immediate issues but looking toward the future as well. The MICT SETA 4IR Research Chair serves as a hub for research, innovation, and human capacity development. Located within FoICT, the chair focuses on cutting-edge technologies, with a goal of fostering innovation while simultaneously developing students' competencies.
The chair has already contributed to the development of new technologies and systems that aim to improve the skills development process in South Africa with the assistance of Mark Muwanguzi and Kyle Stone, lecturers from the Department of Computer Systems Engineering at FoICT. The collaboration also provides opportunities to TUT students to prototype and commercialise innovations, ultimately enhancing the country’s workforce and advancing technological research, whilst contributing to the readiness of future graduates when they enter the workforce.
The official launch of the 4IR Research Chair has created an environment where collaboration, innovation, and research can thrive. MICT SETA and TUT continue to work closely together to enhance the ILMS platform, integrating more stakeholders and refining the user experience. The collaboration between the two institutions has undeniably improved since the 2020 launch, with both parties focusing on creating a more integrated, streamlined and future-ready education and training system.
As South Africa continues to work towards the National Skills Development Plan’s Vision 2030, initiatives like the ILMS and the 4IR Research Chair will remain central to ensuring that the country’s workforce is not only skilled but also equipped to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Source: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mict-seta_skillsdevelopment-innovation-mict-activity-7300823170096246784-afUA?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABik5VEBaSZN1IwacVyZd8AAN2j38YDN7AI