There is general agreement on technical skills shortage in the country as a whole. There are not enough engineers and artisans in the country. Recently, Government launched the skills priority initiative called JIPSA to give priority to bringing in the much needed skills in the country. People with skills from other countries will also help develop the skills base within the country.

Armscor is one of the organizations affected by this skills shortage. Armscor has to reflect the demographics of our country in its employees. However, the harsh reality is that it is difficult to find and employ such people amongst the previously disadvantaged communities. Armscor’s core function of acquisition and procurement of military equipment depends largely on engineers who are project managers. The basic requirement for tertiary education in engineering is at least a D aggregate Higher Grade pass in both maths and science in Grade 12.

It is a known fact that learners from black communities passing Grade 12 with maths and science are not enough to address the skills shortage of this country, let alone those of Armscor. So Armscor has decided to embark on projects which will improve the maths and science results of learners from disadvantaged communities.

A case study was conducted of the school which Armscor adopted to help improve maths and science results and the overall matric pass rate. Unfortunately, Armscor’s initiatives did not yield results. Armscor is looking at affordable initiatives that it can embark on to help improve the Grade 12 pass rate in maths and science. Armscor would welcome any suggestions in this regard.

For more information, please contact:

Mr LP Celliers
Tel : +27 12 428 2719
Fax: +27 12 428 3641