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  E N Q U I R I E S

Nosizo Sebake
CSIR Building & Construction Technology
Tel: +27 12 841-2546

    E M A I L

Family Health/Skills Training Centres for Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality

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The Health and Social Development Department of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, recognising a need for supporting health and social development issues in the municipality, contracted the CSIR to assist in investigating these issues. Carried out in close cooperation with the Department of Health and Social Development and the Department of Roads, Transport and Civil Works, the objective of the study was to investigate ways of supporting skills development in the municipality. The research was undertaken through a series of studies that will develop clear recommendations on the nature and extent of the municipality's involvement in skills development within the community.

The project included the following aspects:

• A needs analysis for the proposed centers.

• Determining specific needs for the type of services to be carried out in the centers.

• Assisting in compiling policy documents and accommodation requirements for the centers.

• Assisting in compiling sketch plans for a prototype centre.

Key recommendations

The study suggested that a system of centres be supported rather than concentrating on one centre in isolation. This system should aim to attract and accommodate a wide range of partners in order to harness their contributions. In addition, the system should aim to create a wide range of social development opportunities by linking different sections of society and economic systems with each other.

A key objective of the proposed centre is to address needs through access to resources, services, training and opportunities. It is evident that the Department of Health and Social Development has limited resources with which to meet all of the social development needs within the municipality. It may, however be able to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of resources in a number of ways, described in broad terms below:

• A linked-up system of services / facilities: Rather than construct a number of new additional centres, it is recommended that existing centres be strengthened and supported. If a new centre is built, it must be designed and managed to support existing centres. Systems for coordinating and supporting activities within and across existing health and social development centres should be developed and strengthened. Ideally, services provided at these centres should be designed to address a wide range of needs and support a social development progression trajectory.
  
  

• Partnerships: The study showed that the department enjoys strong support from its partners. It is suggested that these partnerships be strengthened and new partnerships be developed. In order to do this, it is recommended that the department carry out a study of potential development partners to understand their potential role and contribution, as well as their requirements and concerns. In the proposed system of centres, care should be taken to ensure, as far as possible, that potential partners' requirements and concerns are met in order to harness their contribution.
  
  

• Bridging mechanisms: A key opportunity identified through the study was the social development potential of being able to bridge a range of gaps, including the gaps between:

  • informal and formal economies;
  • potential employers and employees;
  • products and markets;
  • people with a desire to learn and those with knowledge and skills;
  • low-technology environments and high-technology environments;
  • subsistence entrepreneurs and sustainable and growing entrepreneurs;
  • limited access to information and easy access to information; and
  • government and potential partners.

Download the following document in pdf format:

Complete eight-page article: Family Health/Skills Training Centres for Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality [File size 307KB]

Meet the team:

Nosizo Sebake

Jeremy Gibberd

Enquiries:

Nosizo Sebake CSIR Building an Construction Technology Tel: +27 12 841-2546 Fax: +27 12 841-4036 Email: ssebake@csir.co.za

Jeremy Gibberd CSIR Building an Construction Technology Tel: +27 12 841-2839 Fax: +27 12 841-4036 Email: jgibberd@csir.co.za

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