GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Department of Transport’s Centre for Technical Development (CTD) celebrated Youth Month on Tuesday 24 June by hosting an interactive career exposure event focused on technical skills training.
The initiative, which formed part of the centre’s ongoing wellness programme, was aimed at showcasing scarce-skills opportunities available to young South Africans.
Learners from Hoër Volkskool, Spandau High School and Nqweba Secondary School were among the attendees who toured the CTD facilities and witnessed demonstrations in engineering, mechanics and artisan trades.
Wellness practitioner Nomhle Portia Mqoboli said the event was designed to celebrate the youth and promote the technical development programmes offered at the centre. “It’s about equipping our youth with the tools to build meaningful futures,” she said.
The CTD, established to build technical capacity within the department, offers three main development streams: engineering (civil and mechanical), artisan trades (including diesel, petrol, welding, plumbing and bricklaying), and operator development (training on heavy machinery for construction and maintenance projects).
CTD administrator Andre Claassen, who is the assistant director for human resources, explained that learners who complete artisan training can earn a Red Seal qualification, which allows them to work as certified tradespeople or start their own businesses.
Applications require a Grade 12 certificate, CV, and certified ID copy.
Successful applicants are placed on a database and receive training as funding becomes available.
Additional support is available through the National Youth Scheme under the EPWP programme.
Chief engineer and CTD head Clifford Beldon encouraged learners to stay focused on their education to unlock future opportunities.
“Life is about practice and perseverance. South Africa needs skilled individuals, and the CTD is helping to bridge that gap,” he said.
During the tour, learners loved seeing how students dismantled and assembled petrol engines and gearboxes.
Demonstrations were led by chief artisan Etienne van Solms and mentor Charl Hoffman, who provided hands-on insight into the technical training on offer.
The learners who attended left feeling motivated for the future and said they were better informed about alternative career paths in the technical and engineering sectors.
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