Turning Every Workplace, to Be a Training Space, Within the Context Of

PO Box 7046, Bonaero Park, 1622 Vat Reg. No: 4050187022 Tel: (011) 964-1889, Fax to mail: 086 633 5051 Fax: (011) 964-3299 www.qutomfarms.co.za Turning every workplace, to be a training space, within the context of FETs /Agriculture Colleges”

12/09/2013 Introduction and history of Qutom Farms Training in the workplace

Partnership between AgriSETA, Hygro Training College, and Qutom Farms

Skills development and internships approved by AgriSETA

2007 22 Plant Production NQF 1

2008 48 % illiterate workers of the then 350 workers in employed NQF 1-12 workers NQF 2 10 People NQF 1 NQF2 and NQF 3 11 Credits 15 People

2009 1 TUT student NQF 1- 12 workers NQF 1-4 12 + credits 120 people

2010 8 TUT students NQF 1-28 own + Youth NQF 2 - 9+3

2011 30 TUT students NQF 1-8 NQF 2 - 7 NQF1-2 33 Interns 26 credits

2012 19 TUT/ Unisa NQF 2 -10 People NQF 1-2 215 interns various credits

2013-09-17 NQF 1-5 NQF2 -1 NQF 3 -4 NQF1-2 153 Interns various credits

2013 45 TUT, Unisa, Lowveld Agricultural College, Majuba FET, Gert Sebande Agricultural FET College and Nelson Mandela University, and Potch Agriculture College 2013 A 4 % illiterate workers level, who are seasonal workers, from Mozambique. 60 % of workers today, have a Grade 12 Qualification, waiting for opportunities to study further

Challenges with the pass rates for practical experiential training year  Sometimes far from home. ( FET’s brings the college to the home, Experiential training might be far from home)  Incompatibility with roommates.  Higher expectations ( Expecting easier treatment and work, than current labourers)  Code of conduct issues. AWOL and leave.  Pregnancies.  Are not really interested in Agriculture (Farming) as such, rather laboratory work or extension officers, or an office job, like data recording.

Director: David Baird, Derrick Baird PO Box 7046, Bonaero Park, 1622 Vat Reg. No: 4050187022 Tel: (011) 964-1889, Fax to mail: 086 633 5051 Fax: (011) 964-3299 www.qutomfarms.co.za

Achievements Three Years consecutive; Award for: “Experiential Trainee of the year”; with an award of R10 000 to the students. Last year’s Award winner, Cynthia, donated her prize to her community development program, leaving me in awe with her un-selfish deed. Because of that, she received a further donation for her project. All three of the award winners are well on their way to success.

2013 Skills development at Qutom (Approved by AgriSETA) 8 Students Minor repair and Maintenance 10 Students Water quality and irrigation Systems 25 Students Food Safety and Quality management systems

Internal training Induction Course and,Health and safety, to all new employees. Annual Health and safety refreshing course to all workers A Course done by Bayers and Technichem Crop Protection on: Safe handling of Agriculture Chemicals, and the application thereof. (With certificates issued)

Personal Hygiene and Aids related training and counselling. Clinic visits once a month with TB testing and counselling.

Community Development Siyanqoba, School for disabled children, at Delmas. Qutom Farms are supplying seedlings and surplus vegetables to support the school.

Emerging Farmers: Through Financial support by Woolworths to emerging farmers, we assist, and manage their business by allocation part of our growing program to them. The reason for this is, that is almost impossible the get a market share at the main players of the food supply chain, because of the capital layout that is necessary for pack houses cooling facilities and transport

Mbatha Themba, was a previous employee from Qutom farms, He is receiving assistance in, planning, crop protection, seedlings and marketing.

.Conclusion Every farmer who is concerned about a Sustainable Farming for the Future, should have in their Vision and Mission Statement,” How to improve training in every workplace of the organization” We owe in to our children. I thank you.

Director: David Baird, Derrick Baird