The South African Mining Industry has shed as many as 300 000 jobs over the last decade. The MQA has aside funds to support 13 District Municipalities(DM) in former labour sending areas to the mining industry for skills development training for ex-mine workers and their communities. The training programmes are in line with the social plan initiatives and linked to the DMs LED programmes. Existing and innovative strategies need to be expanded to provide ex- mine (some of whom are disabled) with needs driven skills that include ABET an small business development (SMME’s)

The MQA has identified the provision of ABET programmes and business skills training and support to ex- mineworkers as a priority in supporting the Social Plan because of its direct linkage with the Government’s integrated rural development strategy and its wider reach across all provinces of South Africa. An awareness programme on HIV/ Aids would also be integrated in the training programme.

The MQA has successfully implemented the District Municipalities Partnership project with NSF funding during the financial year 2002-2005, R145 million was spent

OBJECTIVE

The DM Partnership project is intended to support the LED programmes within the DMs by providing skills development and support to ex- mineworkers in South Africa. The initiative sought to provide economic growth, poverty reduction, and job creation through skills development.