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BUSINESS AND TRAINING
Student plumber on site.
learners. Without the support of Geberit South Africa and
Geberit International, Marley and Friatec, this would not
have been possible,” says De Fine.
At Umphakathi Development and Training, the focus is on
plumber training in the following fields:
• HDPE drainage, soil, and vent; rainwater and
stormwater applications
• Water supply systems, multilayer, stainless steel
• High-pressure HDPE water installations for bulk
services and infrastructure.
“We are grateful for the support and continued
commitment of suppliers and manufacturers — from
speciality training and certification in Germany and
Switzerland, to the supply of products, technical
know-how, financial assistance, and the sponsorship of
“Our training is specialised due to the fact that the
installation of these pipes is highly complex; and
therefore, accurate training is vital. However, transferring
a speciality skill without any other skills is rather
pointless. In order to ensure successful and sustainable
future businesses, the learners need to acquire all the
skills needed in order to run a successful business,”
says De Fine.
Photographed at the open
day of the Umphakathi
Training Development centre
is, from left: Zoran Kuruzovic
(Umphakathi), Tanika Kennedy
(Umphakathi), Gregg Phillips
(Independent Plant Hire),
Walter Freitas (Geberit), and
Jan Klopstra (Geberit).
Umphakathi Development and Training
De Fine continues that with hundreds of students
attending various courses ranging from new venture
creation, hospitality and events, to artisan training in
the construction industry, and now plumbing speciality
training at Skills Village 2030, they are able to use these
facilities as required, therefore providing additional
classrooms, risk management, a lecture hall, catering,
and much more.
August 2018 Volume 24 I Number 6
Explaining the training process, he says there are three
types of students:
1. Existing businesses send their employees for
upskilling.
2. As part of other related skills programmes, at Skills
Village 2030, the centre runs an introductory and
basic practical course in the speciality fields.
3. Through the NPO, the opportunity of plumbing as a
career is promoted. This is done at shows or events
aimed at attracting the best school leavers or
unemployed youth to embark on a career in
their industry.
www.plumbingafrica.co.za