| Name | Joint Initiative on Priority Skills Acquisition | |
| Strategic Partner | The Presidency, Republic of South Africa | |
| Period | January 2006 to March 2010 |
Introduction
JIPSA is working to fast-track the acquisition of priority skills required to support accelerated and shared growth. The Business Trust has agreed to fund the JIPSA secretariat until June 2010
Objectives
The Deputy President has established a Joint Initiative on Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA). It is a joint initiative of government, business and labour to fast track the acquisition of priority skills required to support accelerated and shared growth. The acquisition of priority skills was identified as one of the most important challenges to overcome if South Africa is to achieve sufficient growth. JIPSA has identified five priority skill areas:
- Engineering and planning skills for 'network industries' - transport, communications, water, energy;
- City, urban and regional planning and engineering skills;
- Artisan and technical skills, particualry in infrastructure, housing and energy;
- Health and education management and planning skills;
- Maths, science and language skills in public education.
Context
JIPSA is a joint initiative of government, business and labour to fast-track the acquisition of priority skills required to support accelerated and shared growth.
The Business Trust supports JIPSA by funding the secretariat. The role of the secretariat is to assist the Joint Task Team and Technical Working Group to prepare an implementation strategy; provide ongoing administrative and project management support; provide policy analysis, research and management capacity; prepare reports and documents as required; and assist with monitoring and reporting.
The challenge of priority skills is central to the achievement of South Africa's Accelerated and Shared Growth (AsgiSA) objectives and this is consistent with the Business Trust's aim of creating jobs, building capacity and enhancing trust.
