W Cape launches online recruitment system for teachers

The e-Recruitment System is a spin-off from an online application system that was piloted in 2011 for the filling of promotion posts. The new system was developed and fine-tuned from analysing the findings of the pilot.

Department spokesperson Bronagh Casey said the department wanted to recruit the best while reducing the stress and paperwork involved in applying for a teaching post.

Highlighting the advantages of system, Casey said the e-Recruitment System allowed teachers to capture and store their CVs online. They are also able to edit and update their CVs using the system.

"Teachers can then apply for posts online, linking their latest CVs to their applications. The system will immediately generate a letter acknowledging receipt of an application for a post.

"Applicants will not have to make copies of documents for each application submitted and they will not have to pay postage costs or stand in queues to submit applications before closing dates."

The system will allocate a unique identification number to each teacher profile.

The department has urged teachers to start compiling their CVs on the e-Recruitment System from 1 December 2012. Applications can be submitted online from 1 January 2013.

Casey said the new system reflected the on-going innovation by the department as it sought to improve the way in which it recruited staff.

Past achievements included increasing the number of vacancy lists published by the department to at least five a year, compared to twice a year before 2010.

"This has enabled the department to achieve much faster turnaround times for permanent appointments, while avoiding undue use of contract staff. Previously, we waited six months or more to fill a post permanently.

"We have also reduced the turnaround times for the filling of principal posts from at least six months to three months on average. All of these measures have helped to stabilise the system significantly.

"We have therefore fine-tuned our paper-based systems to manage the numbers involved, taking an advanced step forward with our new e-Recruitment System."