Training for Civic and Immigration Services

http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273

QUESTION 1184 / NW1319E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 15 April 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 11 of 2011
Mr M Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



(1)        With reference to the National Treasury Estimates of National Expenditure 2011 (Vote 4, Home Affairs), why has the training budget for (a) Citizen Affairs been reduced from R1 590 000 in the 2010/11 financial year to R979 000 in the 2011/12 financial year and (b) Immigration Affairs been reduced from R7 622 000 in the 2010/11 financial year to R1 418 000 in the 2011/12 financial year;



(2)        what are the details of training within each programme that (a) is planned for the 2011/12 financial year and (b) will not take place in the 2011/12 financial year due to the budget cuts?

NW1319E



REPLY:



(1)(a)&(b)           The Department of Home Affairs has centralised all training at its Head Office in Pretoria, and all training, within the Department, now, falls within the line function of the Learning Academy.



(2)(a)                 The Learning Academy has prioritised the following training for, both, Immigration and Civic Services in the 2011/12 financial year:



·                     Management Development Programmes:



            These programmes will be directed at managers in the front line in, both, Civic and immigration Services. It will include, among others, courses on policy interpretation and implementation, strategic management and budgeting.



·                     Pilot: National Certificate: Home Affairs Services:

The Department has created a qualification, namely the National Certificate: Home Affairs Services. It has been registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and it will be piloted in the first quarter of the 2011/12 financial year. The qualification has three specialisation areas, namely Civic Services, Immigration Services and Refugee Affairs. Officials from Civic and Immigration Services will form part of the pilot project.

·                     Frontline Officers Training in Operational Excellence (uniform processes):

These training programmes will cover areas in Civic Services (births, marriages, deaths and identification), as well as, in Immigration Services (Permits, Port of Entry, Visas and Asylum Seekers). The training will focus on legislative changes, and will, also, be incorporated to update the training material where applicable.



In short, there has been a concerted effort to improve the training that has been offered in the two Core Business Branches to ensure that issues of operational excellence, and better service delivery for Home Affairs clients are continually, and systematically addressed.



(2)(b)                 Not applicable.