EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
PROGRAMME RESULTS
“We look forward to continuing the
Various criteria were used to assess the TAT candidates’ training and seeing their growth
candidates throughout their training. as they are launched into the market,” said
A theoretical component included Döbelin. “We wish them all the best for the
health and safety aspects, different types future and have no doubt that they are on
of copper piping, and porta pack (oxygen their way to great things!”
and acetylene) maintenance and use.
EVENT
A large part of every project included
Celebrations were the order of the day
calculation of the copper piping needed,
when the students completed their first two
angles, and bends.
weeks of training (they voluntarily stayed on
Intangible aspects were also assessed,
for an extra week to complete a combined
such as work ethic, willingness to learn,
copper artisan project, which was unveiled
group working skills, and general interest in
on the day). Family and friends gathered at
refrigeration and air conditioning.
OTTC and a hearty welcome was extended
The students’ final project was to create a
to all by Döbelin.
sculpture from copper piping and sheeting.
“I am very proud of these two groups;
The project required them to make use of
they showed a wealth of potential. To
all the skills they had learnt. All the artisan
see what they achieved in two weeks
projects were then mounted and proudly
is amazing. Choosing a winner for each
placed on a four-metre-high copper
group was very difficult; hence, I decided
sculpture that will always be part of OTTC
that, apart from the sponsorship winners,
history.
OTTC is granting each learner an extra four
weeks training at no cost,” says Döbelin. Her
announcement was met with huge cheers
OTTC would
like to see that all
the candidates
are placed into
partnerships with
companies where
they can greatly
contribute and
grow over time.
from the attendees.
“At OTTC, we not only want to empower
our learners: we strive to change lives, and
wherever I can assist and build relationships
with companies, I will try and place them
with these companies.
“There is a tremendous gap in skills when
you look at tradesmen. Youngsters are no
longer exposed to the opportunities that
Mpumelelo Mahlangu used his skills to make a little plumber man out of copper. This formed
part of the artisan sculpture completed by the students.
The two highest achieving candidates in
all the above categories were awarded
sponsorships from OTTC to attend the OTTC
Beginners Programme, which consists of 14
weeks’ training valued at R6 900 per week.
The remaining seven candidates were
also sponsored with four weeks of additional
training of their choice.
OTTC would like to see that all the
candidates are placed into partnerships
contribute and grow over time.
OTTC will continuously be developing
the candidates over the next few weeks,
building an artisan report for each student,
which will be available to companies
seeking young talent.
with companies where they can greatly
The winners of the sponsorships at OTTC, Mpumelelo Mahlangu (left) and Derek Oberholster, with Isolde Döbelin in the middle.
Some of the detail of the four-metre-high copper sculpture final project up close, showing off the artisans’ newly learnt skills.
COLD LINK AFRICA • June 2018
Continued on page 19
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
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