2. Background The committee made an analysis of the Higher Education and Training landscape during its Strategic Workshop in August 2009. A resolution was taken that the post -schooling system needed serious consideration given the fact that approximately 2.7 million youth out of school were neither employed or participating in any form of training. The committee intends to assist the new Department of Higher Education and Training in expanding access to Skills Development and Training during the term of the 4th Parliament. In reality, South Africa has not reaped rewards as expected from its investment in education over the past few years and the committee, together with the new Department of Higher Education and Training have embarked on a new strategy to change this perspective.