Old Mutual and INSETA break barriers through further education

Most South Africans with disabilities still face inequality in the workplace – through the INSETA FETI/HETI project, Old Mutual is working to ensure that its employees with disabilities have the chance to change society’s expectations.

In 2000, during the NEDLAC job summit, the South African government set a target that by 2005, people with disabilities would make up 2% of the workforce. But in 2012 the number of employed persons with disabilities remains less than 1%.

Speaking at the INSETA Disability Awards 2011, deputy minister of women, children and persons with disabilities, Ms Hendrietta Ipeleng Bogopane-Zulu, said that “The majority of people with disabilities in South Africa have been excluded from the mainstream of society and have been prevented from accessing fundamental social, political and economical rights. One way that these issues are being addressed is through the continued efforts of select organisations, through the use of learnerships, to train and employ persons with disabilities.”

Ahead of disability month and the 2012 INSETA Disability Awards, INSETA and Old Mutual are working to ensure that challenges facing people with disabilities from entering the workplace are overcome, while offering further education opportunities.

Responding to the lack of career choices and to assist with retention of people with disabilities, Old Mutual will send 24 of their employees with disabilities on the INSETA FETI/HETI articulation project. This programme allows FETs to offer the equivalent of a first-year university course, as UWC provides access to an Advanced Diploma in Management Studies for those with the NQF Level 5 Certificate. Once students have completed the Advanced Diploma in Management Studies, they can then progress to a Postgraduate Certificate in Financial Planning at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) – building a bridge to a higher qualification.

“FETI/HETI creates a clear pathway to a career that is urgently needed in South Africa, and respected in the industry, while addressing the scarce and critical skills issue. It is a great opportunity for both Old Mutual and our employees”, says Melisha Pillay, Employment Equity and Skills Development Manager at Old Mutual.

Pillay says that when Old Mutual offered the sponsorship of the programme to their employees, they were met with an overwhelming response, resulting in INSETA needing to make extra space on the programme to accommodate the numbers.

While many commitments have been made by corporations and government to include persons with disability in all aspects of development, the gap between policy and practice is still evident. “This affects the whole economy”, says INSETA CEO Sandra Dunn, “although Governments, global leaders, policy-makers and other stakeholders acknowledge the need for disability-inclusive development, the follow-through has been less than ideal. In order to be fully effective, these bodies must be supported in their efforts, and also reminded to keep their promises.”

FETI/HETI ran successfully in its inaugural year, 2011. “Companies directly benefit from this initiative, as there is no charge for this training, and it is in keeping with INSETA’s goal to form partnerships which will grow scarce and critical skills in the insurance and broader financial industry. Importantly, it has the potential to revolutionise the financial planning sector by broadening access and accelerating skills development – something that is much needed. This will benefit not just the sector and those working in it – but the millions of South Africans who use their services every day. It is setting up job and wealth creation, and allowing for further education, for not just disabled persons, but any who face the challenges of unequal opportunity in South Africa,” says Dunn.

Through participating in projects such as FET/HETI, companies such as Old Mutual and INSETA are changing the perceptions and helping to break barriers for people with disabilities. “We have a number of talented people with different abilities employed at Old Mutual. An important goal for us is to increase the representation of people with disabilities at higher levels in the organisation. The FET/HETI project will assist us to develop this talent and therefore provide potential opportunities for employment in more senior roles in the future,” says Pillay.