Training facility opens at Esikhawini campus

A NEW state-of-the-art training facility was recently opened at the uMfolozi TVET College at Esikhawini.

The Construction Centre of Excellence will host 90 apprentices in the trades of plumbing, carpentry and bricklaying.

The centre focuses on improving relationships with participating industries to ensure greater practice-orientation of training courses.

It aims to reduce the current discrepancy between the standard of training and the labour market requirements, which will improve the employability of graduates.

uMfolozi College Principal, Sam Zungu said the dual apprenticeship programme is a clear indication the college does not only teach theory but also shows students how it’s done.

‘We are still in the first phase of the project and we are hoping to see it growing and benefitting a number of young people,’ said Zungu.

The involved lecturers have been trained in new teaching methodologies, locally and in Germany.

Explaining how the dual training system works in Germany, CEO of Kreishandwerkerschaft Frank Tischner said young people are trained in companies for an apprenticeship period of 36 to 42 months while also learning theory in college.

‘High professionalism, paired with the dual system – where companies and colleges are the training locations – are the basis for the low unemployment rate amongst the youth and highly skilled in Germany,’ Tischner said.

King Cetshwayo District Municipality Deputy Mayor Cllr Alice Mthembu applauded and looked forward to good results from this initiative as it will address the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

‘The labour market demands that we supply competent artisans. We need artisans that are going to enter the work force and build this country.

‘It is true that theory alone cannot build this country,’ Mthembu said.

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