South Africa, Free State: The Free State Provincial Government, through the Free State Training and Development Institute (FSTDI) in partnership with Public Sector Education (PSETA), hosted a very successful graduation ceremony for government officials who have completed qualifications in Recognition of Prior Learning studies in Public Administration; N5 certificates and N6 National Diplomas.
This wonderful achievement by public servants comes at a time when the country celebrates the 2023 Integrated Public Service Month.
Furthermore, these qualifications coincidence with the cardinal pillars of the public service month, I.e. ensuring that government officials are well equipped to use public resources efficiently and effectively to the benefit of the citizens, to ensure that they use their divergent capacities and skills to ensure that there are systems and infrastructure in place to service communities and to also give expression to the province’s commitment to developing a skilled workforce that will play a meaningful role in the growth and development of the economy of the Free State and to improve service delivery provision.
The province’s huge investment in education is a policy imperative that extends beyond the upskilling of the public service labour force. Over ten thousand students over the years have benefitted from the Free State bursary scheme and many thousands continue to derive value from various skills development programmes offered by the provincial government.
The province’s bursary programme and NSFAS have produced diverse professionals ranging from medical doctors, teachers, nurses, engineers, accountants, artisans, farmers, entrepreneurs, administrators, etc.
The graduation of public servants is also a reminder of the government initiative in partnership with Mersita that saw the Free State government spend forty six (46) million rands to settle historical student debt that prevented graduates from accessing their certificates from various institutions of higher learning and being able to enter the job market.
Today, the province is proud to have made this contribution to better the lives of our people, particularly the youth who are the vanguard entrusted with shaping society.
Addressing graduates, the Director General (DG) of the Free State Provincial Government, Kopung Ralikontsane had this to say:
Graduates demonstrated passion, and their dedication and hard work embody a public service our people aspire for. They will strengthen our collective efforts to address the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment.
Students received NQF level 5 and 6 certificates and diplomas, and soon, NQF level 7 and N8 will be introduced.