“This will allow the department to contribute more effectively to the goal of inclusive economic growth and development and to contribute fundamentally to reducing unemployment and poverty,” Nzimande said.

The paper also sets out a broad policy for expanding and improving access to post-school education and training opportunities to all sectors of the population; strengthening institutions to improve education quality and building a post-school education and training system that is equitable, accessible and affordable, including free education and training for the poor.

It also sketches out a vision for a progressive post-school education and training system, which will contribute to overcoming the challenges facing society. The department proposes to do this by nurturing a culture of education that inspires high levels of excellence and innovation.

“A major problem in the system as a whole is that provision of post-school education and training is inadequate in quality, diversity and in many, but not in all instances, quality,” said Nzimande.

The green paper further proposes the increased involvement of Sector Education and Training Authority (SETAs) in higher education and training institutions instead of private sector service providers, and to clarify their role as facilitators of training and development of the skills of the workforce.

To this end, the department will in February sign a service level agreement with SETAs aimed at changing attitudes towards Further Education and Training (FET) colleges by getting students in these centres learnerships and ensuring that they are accommodated in the labour market.

Nzimande further expects all major government infrastructure programmes to take on trainees in order to develop the country’s skills base.

The department will from January until the end of April 2012 engage in a series of consultations with stakeholders. Copies of the green paper can be accessed on the department’s website: www.dhet.gov.za.

The public is invited to comment, and written submissions on the Green Paper for Post-School Education and Training should preferably be emailed to Mr Zakhele Hlongwane at [email protected].

Those with no access to email may send hard copies to: Mr Zakhele Hlongwane Director: Office of the Director General, The Department of Higher Education and Training, Private Bag X174, PRETORIA, 0001.