Date: 17 March 2021

Time: 10H00

Venue/Platform: Zoom

Link for registration: https://gcis.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-z7WUwnkSUinwG28h2OmSw

2021 Edition of the Conference

The Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commission (“B-BBEE Commission”) is established in terms of section 13B of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act No. 53 of 2003 as amended by Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act No. 46 of 2013 (“the B-BBEE Act”), as an entity within the administration of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (“the dtic”). The B-BBEE Commission’s mandate amongst others is to oversee the implementation of the B-BBEE Act, promote advocacy, access to opportunities and educational programmes, as well as promote good corporate governance and accountability in accordance with section 13F of the B-BBEE Act. In giving effect to this mandate, the B-BBEE Commission is planning to host a hybrid annual conference on skills development with the aim to discuss, advocate and share information on best practice and issues identified during the implementation and oversight phase to ensure adherence to the B-BBEE Act.

The conference will target SETAs, private sector, public sector, associations, organised forums and general public. It is envisaged that a total of no more than 50 people will physically attend the session and approximately 500 will attend via online platform (Zoom and live streaming). In addition, there will be an outside broadcast on the day of the conference to give a broader mileage. The conference will be structured to include presentations from different perspectives followed by discussions. the dtic as well as Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) will provide support media and communications coverage. The B-BBEE Commission’s service provider, Zindela Communications will also provide additional support.

Theme: Skills Development: What is at Stake?

Outline of the theme

The focus of the conference, i.e. “Skills Development”, is one of the key aspects of sustained transformation and a key consideration of the National Development Plan (NDP). Chapter 11 of the National Development Plan places emphasis and importance of the provision for income support to the unemployed through amongst other things, “training and skills development, and other labour market related incentives”.

On the other hand, the B-BBEE Act makes provision of Skills Development as part of Statement 300 of codes of good practice within the broader discourse of transformation. In other words, apart from it being part of the national agenda, Skills Development is an intrinsic part of the transformation ethic within the context of Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment in South Africa, through the B-BBEE Act and other supporting policies. Statement 300 of codes of good practice incentivizes companies to undertake appropriate steps and measures to implement Skills Development with purposive demographic representation of black people in a measurable manner.

Based on the requirements of Code 300 of Codes of Practice, there are benefits that are accrued to companies for applying the codes of good practice on Skills Development. It is also anticipated that the benefits are equally accrued to the beneficiaries, thereby contributing to the aspirations of the NDP in relation to Skills Development. This particular background in terms of law and policy (NDP as a macro policy) present opportunities for employers, industries, sectors and the general public to gain benefits in several ways while at the same time meeting the ideals of transformation for an inclusive economy.

Audience

• Organs of State
• Public entities
• Private sector
• SETAs
• Associations
• Organised forums
• Community
• NGOs