Plastics industry online career guide to create jobs

"This project is in line with Plastics SA's training objective of promoting the career opportunities that exist in the local plastics industry," he says.

The online information is expected to assist companies who wish to recruit workers while, on the other hand, providing job seekers with information on the additional skills and specific qualifications required for each position "This initiative is aimed at creating [a] skills development plan that is quantifiable, measurable and that will create jobs," Hanekom says. "The main objective of this initiative was to map the industry to get a clear idea of the occupations that exist, and their details, the skills shortages and job vacancies." Every profession in the plastics industry will now be linked to its relevant organising framework of occupations, alternative job titles, the various responsibilities associated with that job and the qualifications required for the position, he notes.

The Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Merseta) and Plastics SA, have identified priority skilled-persons for the plastics industry - these include plasticians, setters, mould makers and polymeric fabrication inspectors. Plasticians are crucial in the manufacturing process, while setters are responsible for setting up the manufacturing equipment, Engineering News reports. "The strategy [driving the project] places significant emphasis on the relevance, quality and sustainability of skills training programmes to ensure that these impact positively on poverty reduction and the eradication of inequalities," Hanekom concludes.

Read the full article on www.engineeringnews.co.za.