Technical College Education The department commissioned the National Business Initiative (NBI) to perform a situational analysis of the technical college sector in Gauteng and specifically the 33 technical colleges in Gauteng. The report was completed in 1998 and a substantial number of policy and operational recommendations were made. These recommendations are being considered and the transformation of the sector may begin in 1999. Draft legislation compiled as the College Education and Training Bill (1997) has been finalised for the Cabinet and Legislature process. The framework for governance regulations for the new legislation has been updated and refined. A policy document on basic qualification requirements of lecturing staff at technical colleges has been submitted to the National Department of Education. The newly devised forms and procedures for payment and control of part-time salary claims have been implemented. The Unit is still involved in the development of an instrument for CS educator appraisal that will address the unique needs of colleges. The department has played a major role in developing the curriculum framework and the industry unit standards for the Learnership pilot project at Germiston College. In association with many stakeholders, and role players within the Electrical Industry, and the National DoE and the Germiston College. The project commenced in April 1998 and the first students started their learnerships on 22 June 1998. Further to this Bavarian/Gauteng project, an official of the department went on a study tour to Germany to establish valuable links for further Learnership projects. Through its active participation on the Co-ordinating Committee for Vocational Education, as well as in Framework and Syllabus Committees, the department has contributed to the development of policy on national curriculum structures and curriculum development for technical colleges, including the developments in the envisaged new FET system. The Unit met with a group of Further Education experts from Britain and established valuable links with expertise in this field. A number of college councils have been transformed in accordance with directives in line with the new legislation that is pending. The Unit co-ordinated building inspections by the Unit for Physical Planning to determine the needs and costs of urgent repairs, upgrading and the building of new facilities at the following colleges viz. Molapo, George Tabor, Lazarus Nlhapo, Thuto Matlhale, Eastside and Highveld. A considerable number of lecturing staff have been appointed in vacant posts either in a permanent or temporary capacity, in approved posts on the 1998 staff establishments. Colleges still find it difficult to recruit lecturing staff for specialised fields of study. The latest developments in negotiations with labour organisations hampers the appointment of suitable lecturing staff even further. No appointments of administrative staff have been made due to the moratorium on these appointments. The situation now became detrimental to the effective management of colleges. German assisted vocational education Further to the Unit’s participation in the first GEVETSA conference organised by the GTZ (a network of organisations linked with German assisted vocational projects), an official of the department investigated the British and German systems of learnerships during a study tour to Britain and Germany. A number of proposals have been made and are being considered