Human Resources and Training

The Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) was established in 2000 in terms of the Skills Development Act (Act No. 1 of 1998). The HWSETA is classified as a Schedule 3A Public Entity under the provision of the Public Finance Management Act (Act No. 1 of 1999).
The HWSETA Board is responsible for good governance and is the Accounting Authority of the HWSETA. The present Board members were appointed by the Minister of Labour for a period of 5 years commencing on 1 April 2005. The present term of office will be terminated on 31 March 2010.

The present members of the HWSETA Board are:

Due to recent resignations, not all board seats are filled.

HWSETA Ojbectives

Develop and Implement the Sector Skills Plan.
Develop and Administer Learnerships.
Support and implement the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)
Implement ETQA responsibilities mandated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
Disburse levies collected from employers in health and social development sectors.
Forge links with stakeholders and bodies in health and social development Sectors.
Account for effective and efficient use of public money in line with the Public Finance Management Act.
Report to the Minister of Labour through the Director-General of Labour on HWSETA matters.

The HWSTA recognizes the following qualifications:

• GETC: Ancillary Health Care NQF 1
• National Certificate : Fundamental Ancillary Health Care NQF 2
• National Certificate : Community Health Work NQF 3
• FETC : Community Health Work NQF 4
• National Certificate : Community Development : HIV/AIDS Support NQF 4
• FETC : Social Auxiliary Work NQF 4
• FETC : Social Security Administration NQF 4
• FETC : Child and Youth Care NQF 4.
• FETC : Probation Work NQF 4.
• National Certificate : Victim Empowerment and Support NQF 2.
• National Certificate : Victim Empowerment : Early Intervention NQF 3
  
• FETC : Victim Empowerment : Co-ordination NQF 4
• FETC : Gender Practice NQF 4
• National Certificate : Theology and Ministry NQF 2
• FETC : Theology and Ministry NQF 4
• National Certificate : Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Environment NQF 2
• National Certificate : Occupational Hygiene and Safety NQF 3
• FETC : Occupational Hygiene and Safety NWF 4

Learnerships

Nursing Learnerships

• Certificate in General Nursing (Auxiliary) NQF 4
• Certificate in General Nursing (Enrolled) NQF 4
  
• Diploma in General Nursing (Bridging) NQF 5
  
• Diploma in Primary Health Care NQF 6
  
• National Certificate : Fundamental Ancillary Health Care NQF 2

Pharmaceutical Learnerships

• Pharmacists Assistant Basic NQF 3
  
• Pharmacists Assistant Post Basic NQF 4

Social Learnerships

• Certificate in Social Auxiliary Work NQF 4
  
• Certificate in Child and Youth Care NQF 4

Other Learnerships

• Diagnostic Radiography NQF 6
  
• Certificate Phlebotomy Technique NQF 4

Bursaries
Based on the Sector Skills Plan’s areas of scarce and critical skills the following bursaries were allocated in 2006/2007:

• National Diploma in Nuclear Medicine Radiography (8)
  
• National Diploma in Ultrasound Radiography (14)
  
• National Diploma – Dental Assistant (18)
  
• National Diploma – Emergency Medical Care (21)
  
• BA in Social Work (21) B Pharmacy Degree (38)

Sector Skills Plan
The Sector Skills Plan was developed and submitted to the Department of Labour after approval by the Board. The Plan highlights the following aspects relevant to skills development in the health and social development sector:

• The Sector Profile
  
• The Demand for Skills
  
• The Supply of Skills
  
• The Identification of scarce and critical skills
  
• Small business and entrepreneurial opportunities

A copy of the Plan can be found on: www.hwseta.org.za.

HWSETA

The HASA Representative on the HWSETA Board is Sharon Slabbert.
HWSETA contact details are: Bradford Corner
                                        2 Bradford Road
                                        BEDFORDVIEW
                                        Tel: 011 607-6900
                                        Fax: 011 616-8939
                                        www.hwseta.org.za

Nursing
Private hospitals are staffed by highly skilled registered professional nurses. All these nurses are licensed by the South African Nursing Council and have completed their training. These nurses manage wards, units e.g. intensive care units and highcare as well as theatres, catheterization laboratories and emergency units. Registered nurses manage a team of staff nurses or enrolled nurses, auxiliary nurses and care workers.

Many private hospitals train undergraduate nurses. Student nurses work under supervision during their training and are accompanied by clinical tutors. Registered Nurses are also trained in Operating Room techniques, Intensive Care Nursing, Cardiac Care, Neonatal ICU and many more. Public Private Partnerships have also been implemented to promote the training of nurses.

In an audit conducted in June 2007, the following nurses were in training in the private hospital industry:

• Recovery Room
  
• ICU
  
• Child Nursing
  
• Accident and Emergency
  
• Maternity
  
• PaediatricCardiac Care
  
• Neonatal ICU
  
• Infection Control
  
• Orthopaedic Nursing
  
• Operating Room
  
• Hicare
  
• Stomatherapy
  
• Care Workers

HASA has established a Nursing Sub-committee which is representative of all HASA member hospitals where all issues related to nursing and the training of nurses are discussed. These meetings are well attended and significant work has been done. The chairperson of this committee is an ad hoc member of the HASA board of directors and nursing matters is a permanent agenda item. Sharon Vasuthevan is the present chairperson serving on the HASA Board of Directors. Meetings are held quarterly at the HASA offices.

The HASA Sub-committee meetings are due to be held on:

    12 February 2008
    4 June 2008
    2 September 2008
    19 November 2008

For further information contact Sharon Slabbert.