CPUT together with the Provincial Government of the Western Cape are taking the lead in addressing skill shortages in the South African Health Sector.

On 15 April 2010, 60 students were awarded the Diploma in Nursing during the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences graduation ceremony. The course is offered in collaboration with the Western Cape College of Nursing (WCCN).

During the ceremony, the nursing graduates cited the traditional nursing pledge which is accompanied by the lighting of the lamp. The lamp is symbolic of the one which was carried by Florence Nightingale, a pioneer in nursing during the 1800’s. This tradition is practiced at universities and nursing colleges across the world since 1893.

Currently, in the Western Cape, this tradition is only taking place at CPUT and the University of the Western Cape, which are the only two institutions offering the four year undergraduate nursing qualification.

The other higher education institutions in the province only offer the postgraduate nursing programmes while some Nursing Schools at the hospitals offer the two year diploma course.

Addressing graduates at the ceremony, keynote speaker Sage Pillay, CEO of the National Health Laboratory Services, said South Africa desperately needs skilled health professionals who can make an impact in the health sector.

Pillay said many graduates will take up careers in the public health care sector, which is currently viewed by many South Africans as an uncaring sector. He challenged the graduates to change this poor image and provide a quality service to those in their care.

“Remember, the people you will care for cannot afford health care. Treat patients like you would want anyone to care for a member of your family. Put people first and above narrow and selfish needs,” he said.

He also drew their attention to the challenges of the sector, which include lack of resources, working conditions and remuneration.

He urged graduates to take up these challenges with their employer, but to do so in a “professional manner.”

Pillay called on students to embark on life-long learning and improve their educational qualifications.

During the ceremony 97 Bachelor of Technology Degrees in Nursing were also conferred.

CPUT’s postgraduate nursing programme, which allows qualified nurses to specialise in various areas of nursing, is one of the most successful programmes in the country, drawing students from across Africa.

By Candes Keating

Photograph: Newly qualified nurses, holding lamps, take the nursing pledge.

Written by CPUT News
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The City of Cape Town in partnership with three of the four universities operating under the banner of the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC) recently held a workshop at CPUT with a view to exploring ways in which the partnership can deliver required skills for staff of the City of Cape Town.

The main objective was to come up with a regional Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) model as opposed to each institution using its own RPL process.

The workshop, held at the IT Centre on the Bellville Campus on 19 August 2009, served as a platform for constructive engagement with RPL practices related to the skills development and training needs of staff in the City of Cape Town.

Delegates from the City of Cape Town, CPUT, the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) explored innovative RPL programmes and discussed proposals to enhance further provision of RPL services for eligible staff in future.

Nasima Badsha, CEO of CHEC, gave a brief background of the project. Alan Ralphs of UWC mentioned that universities have already taken certain steps. The workshop’s task was to widen the scope by talking about RPL and exchanging ideas about implementing the planned project.

Yolanda Scholtz, Strategic HR: Human Capital Development at the City of Cape Town, said the city had gone through a skills audit in which 90% of management staff participated and were assessed.

She said strengths, weaknesses and gaps to be filled were identified in the process and the role of RPL became clear. She also mentioned that there are people with certain skills who don’t have the qualifications in Accounting that government would need them to have by the year 2013. Staff at supervisory level were also neglected although this was “the most important level in getting the job done.”

Three universities made presentations in which they stated what they have done so far and what they intend doing in future.

At the end it was agreed that there was a need for collaborative planning and implementation of progra between the City of Cape Town and the three institutions. There was a common feeling that there needs to be a central advice and referral office to either be based at the CHEC or City Council’s offices. The office would also deal with program specific information, mentoring, support and tracking, and policy frameworks.

It was also agreed that an invitation be extended to the Office of the Premier (Provincial Government) to join in the project. A working committee of the participating institutions was to continue its work in the implementation of these resolutions.

By Thami Nkwanyane

Written by CPUT News
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