Gaps in delivery, participation, and impact persist in SLP literacy and numeracy training programmes.
Of R376-million committed across 11 SLPs, only R92-million was verified as delivered, according to a multi-community audit [Home – MACUA]. This highlights under-delivery in SLP skills development training programmes and adult education.
More than R284 million is unaccounted for – either undocumented, misrepresented, or lost to fraud and non-delivery. Many employees and community members cannot access quality literacy training or numeracy training.
Larger mining companies have structured SLP training programmes for mining companies. This while smaller mines often use social and labour plan training providers.
SLP training programme for companies
Despite statutory requirements, SLP training programmes for mining companies face major challenges in delivery and impact. Nearly half a million people are employed in South African mining, yet foundational skill gaps remain widespread. A standardised achievement test showed close to 99% of miners were functionally innumerate. They showed severe deficits in literacy training and numeracy training. These skills gaps are not limited to technical tasks. They extend to basic workplace comprehension and safety, undermining workforce capability and progression.
Mining companies have invested heavily in human resource development as part of SLP commitments. Recent industry reporting indicates more than R5 billion spent on employee and community training in 2024. This includes ABET training and broader skills development. Other research shows South African mines invest over USD360-million annually in skills development initiatives between 2016 and 2020. However, SLP skills development training programmes often fall short of expectations. This is due to weak alignment with community needs, poor enforcement, and limited long-term support structures for learners.
These effectiveness issues are compounded by legacy inequities in basic education and systemic challenges in scaling literacy and numeracy outcomes. Many mining communities still lack access to quality education infrastructure. This leads to persistent illiteracy and innumeracy that adult education and adult learning interventions struggle to overcome. Social and labour plan training providers and SLP programmes have yet to achieve consistent, measurable impact on foundational learning.
SLP training providers
Many social and labour plan training providers claim expertise in literacy programmes and numeracy programmes.
However, some are not accredited by Umalusi – Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training. Learners cannot write national ABET training examinations after completing these programmes.
Some providers fail to notify clients when accreditation lapses or is missing. Mines may pay for non-accredited training outside the National Qualifications Framework – SAQA.
In 2023/24, many maths training and English training providers failed accreditation. Sixty-eight foundational learning suppliers failed first review.
Many received either a “window period” to improve or “no accreditation” outcomes. Overall, about 55% of providers fail to meet requirements.
They keep operating due to a mix of enforcement limitations, market demand, legal loopholes, weak penalties, and transparency gaps. The system relies heavily on self-regulation by training providers and due diligence by clients, which is often inconsistent.
SLP skills development training
Effective SLP skills development training programmes deliver measurable benefits beyond compliance. They strengthen adult literacy and adult numeracy skills for employees and communities.
Literacy programmes and numeracy programmes are essential for mining environments. They teach workers to understand safety instructions and workplace procedures.
Programmes also teach measurements, quantities, tonnes, metres, and volumes. Learners can read manuals, forms, and work procedures.
Modular programmes allow participation at different levels. Workforce skills are taught across four levels, starting from Level 1 or 2, equal to Grades 3–6.
Levels 3 and 4 integrate with workplace learning, enabling learners to apply skills immediately. Completion of AET Level 4 supports further adult learning and artisan programmes.
SLP literacy and numeracy training
Robust SLP literacy and numeracy training programmes rely on professional assessment and placement procedures.
Participants often have mixed educational backgrounds. Some lack basic literacy and numeracy skills, while others need adult numeracy or adult literacy support.
Placement assessments identify actual competence, avoiding over-placement and under-placement, which cause frustration or waste company resources.
Adult programmes must accommodate work schedules. Recognition of prior learning accelerates progress by acknowledging learners’ informal skills and experience.
Effective SLP training for mining
Effective SLP training programmes for mining companies are facilitated by qualified educators experienced in adult learning.
They hold qualifications in adult development or teaching, such as:
- FET Certificate/Diploma in ABET Practice [SAQA]
- (Higher Certificate in Education Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching (90093 – SPF))
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching Languages (90148 – LAN)
- Adult Literacy Teacher [SAQA]
SLP mining skills training programmes
SLP mining skills training programmes must be monitored to ensure quality and compliance. National standards are set by SAQA, QCTO, and MQA.
Monitoring ensures facilitators teach correctly, assessments are valid, and learners progress. Without monitoring, quality declines, and accreditation risks increase.
Monitoring improves learner success in basic education adult development programmes. It identifies struggling learners and addresses learning gaps. Feedback helps facilitators improve teaching methods.
In mining, monitoring is critical for safety. Learners must understand safety procedures before advancing. Monitoring supports quality, compliance, continuous improvement, and trust in SLP community training projects South Africa.
Accountable SLP training providers
Demand for credible social and labour plan training providers has never been greater. Triple E Training delivers accredited, outcomes-based SLP literacy and numeracy programmes.
Through rigorous placement assessments and qualified facilitators, learners are correctly placed, effectively taught, and meaningfully assessed.
Strong monitoring ensures measurable impact and workplace relevance. The approach prioritises progression, safety understanding, and practical application.
Employees and communities gain transferable skills. Triple E Training is a trusted leader in SLP skills development training programmes and SLP community training projects South Africa.
Maree is a Training & Development Expert at Triple E Training.
He brings over two decades of experience in adult development and workforce education. This includes designing and implementing impactful foundational learning programmes.
His expertise spans literacy programmes, numeracy programmes, maths training, and English training. These are aimed at equipping employees with the essential skills needed to perform effectively and progress in their careers. Marco has worked extensively with organisations in sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and heavy industry, helping to build competent, confident, and productive workforces.
He is driven by a passion for lifelong learning. This while committed to empowering individuals through education and advancing inclusive economic growth in South Africa.