The PCB and uMgungundlovu FET College signed a Memorandum of Agreement. The Agreement recognises the economic and social necessity for the development of relevant skills among the people of Pietermaritzburg and the surrounding areas.
The partnership called “Skills for Prosperity” will strive to achieve the following objectives: the identification of those skills particularly necessary for the advancement of the local economy and the active inclusion in it of all people; the development of appropriate modules, courses and programmes in order to address the needs in respect of the skills identified; the provision of appropriate training; optimal accessibility to training opportunities especially in respect of the poor and unemployed; the attainment of appropriate employment on the part of those who have been trained; a strong, productive working relationship between UFET and the business community; and the economic development of the city and its neighbouring areas.
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business (PCB) and the Msunduzi Municipality.
A signing ceremony over breakfast heralded the formal commitment to “a general framework for ongoing and future co-operative activities”. The signatories were PCB president Zinhle Sokhela, Msunduzi mayor Zanele Hlatswayo, and DUT rector Robert du Pre.
According to a statement by PCB CEO Andrew Layman, “the objective of the MoU between the DUT and PCB is to promote co-operation, exchange of information and expertise and joint projects primarily, but not limited to, the fields of education and training as well as research and development in engineering, science, technology and commercial disciplines”.
The document sets out several protocols, including the PCB’s role to facilitate interaction between its members and the DUT that will reciprocate with access to its regional, national and international partners.
Other articles related to the exchange of information, the use of facilities, organisation and participation in seminars, workshops and conferences, and the undertaking of mutually-beneficial projects. “For each such project, a joint business plan which specifies costs and profit-sharing, will be signed by both parties,” the statement said.
The implementation of the partnership will be overseen by a joint committee which will meet from time to time to ensure that the relationship has mutually productive outcomes.
