SEIFSA Training Centre gets youth fit and ready for the industry
The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) Training Centre recently oversaw the graduation of 40 artisans at its world-class facility in Benoni, South Africa.
The next generation of electricians, fitters, turners, boilermakers, and welders were presented with their certificates on Friday, 1 December 2017 to the joy of their families, sponsors and the Centre’s staff at ceremony held at the world-class facility in Benoni, South Africa.
SEIFSA Training Centre Operations Manager Desmond Uithaler proudly said: “We the have capacity to train 400 candidates per year, hence we can make a significant contribution towards the reduction of the shortage of the 12,500 artisans that South Africa needs on an annual basis”.
The SEIFSA Training Centre provides a steady stream of ready-to-work and skilled graduates for companies such as Rotek, Macsteel, Aberdare and BCE, amongst others.
“This fact goes to the heart of why SEIFSA recognised the vital need to establish the Centre in the first place. Our members are encouraged to find creative ways to bridge the skills gap and source a supply of well-trained young artisans,” said Chief Executive Officer Kaizer Nyatsumba.
The main prize winner on the day was 28-year-old Moses Negoma, who won Best Overall Student as a Fitter and Turner as well as a Certificate of Achievement. Originally from Limpopo, Mr Negoma was supported by BCE Engineering and is now completing his In-Service Training with the company.
Congratulating Mr Negoma on the award, Mr Nyatsumba remarked on the importance of getting young people interested in being artisans: “The average age of an artisan in South Africa is 54, which means that 70 percent of artisans currently employed will retire in the next five to six years. New blood in the industry is absolutely vital for our economy, and that is why we should all be excited about initiatives such as this one. We will certainly be highlighting these achievements to the companies that make up the SEIFSA membership,” said Mr Nyatsumba.
The occasion was joyous and characterised by music, dancing, comedy and the inspirational words of guest speaker Patrick Metswi, Executive of Human Resources at Murray & Roberts. He emphasized the message of lifelong learning: “View your certificate as a key to unlock future success. Don’t settle for anything, but giving your very best, because that is our measurement. M&R is looking for the very best. Go out and knock on as many doors as possible and don’t give up.