Lack of technical skills among women a concern

Addressing a horde of women during the event hosted by African Times newspaper, The Mvula Trust’s Chief Operations Officer, Julia Mmushi indicated that South Africa was confronted by diverse challenges, which include, among others, inadequate technical skills.

She highlighted that some of the ever-increasing challenges that South African education system is struggling with is to produce labour force armed with technical skills, especially women.Mmushi added, “There is a need to create an enabling environment to include women in these areas to address issues of transformation and skills gaps”.

According to Mmushi, South Africa should expedite programmes that promote technical skills and capacity among women. “We need to, in partnership with government, create opportunities for incubation of these skills and ultimately transform our society”.Quoting from the statistics provided by Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA), Mmushi indicated, “Among 533 engineering companies affiliated to CESA, only 122 of them are owned by black people. And women only contribute 12% to the latter figure”.She further called upon various businesses to contribute towards empowering young women by exposing them to the corporate environment through work integrated learning programmes. “There is a need for us to work together. We are much better if as a collective to maximise impact and achieve lasting results,” emphasised Mmushi.The occasion was held on the 25 August 2017 at Protea Hotel in Polokwane under the theme “Phenomenal Women in Business” in tribute of Women’s Month in South Africa.