Personality Profile Sponsored by :
XOLANI NKOSI :
ASPIRING REFRIGERATION APPRENTICE
Being prepared for what life throws your way is key . A case proving that pushing through leads to success .
Xolani Cooldown Nkosi grew up in the Thembisa township in Gauteng where he carried out his schooling . Although completing his matric , he didn ’ t achieve the good results he wanted , passing with low symbols , however this didn ’ t hold back his eager mind .
Nkosi started out working at a carwash , earning a low wage and then progressed to a large retail company as a general worker – packing and handling various produce – all his efforts focused with the intention of saving money to put towards bettering his education .
With his first savings he was able to sign up for a short course to become a petrol attendant whereafter he moved into this field for a further five years . He used this opportunity to again save every spare rand towards education . His efforts then rewarded him accomplishments in completing a course in logistics , and obtaining a code-14 drivers licsense .
Through a friend it was by coincidence that Nkosi discovered the HVACR sector that he had not known existed before . The friend who completed an ammonia training course , drew Nkosi ’ s attention to the sector and he decided this was where he wanted to focus the next step in his career . Further discovering that technicians in this field of refrigeration are in high demand , the decision made even more sense .
Initially being declined entrance at the Open Trade Trading Centre because management questioned Nkosi possibly wasting his hard-earned savings , he persevered in his pursuit of adding onto his skill set , and subsequently completed and passed the ammonia technician certification course . He is now focused on gaining experience in the field as an apprentice . On gaining more experience , Nkosi plans to further explore the HVACR sector .
“ Honestly speaking , I didn ’ t know anything about the HVACR sector before , but seeing the opportunity I decided to jump in with the thought that even if I fail , I have still improved myself as a person and added onto my skills . I have had the same views with all the training I have done in the past . I have always aimed at making sure I am prepared for the future ,” he said .
The drive of this young man stems fom his early realisation that in South Africa there are limited employment opportunities , so he noted that it ’ s in everyone ’ s own best interest to skill themselves up in as many things that then can as an advantage to get ahead in life . His strategy is that the more skills you invest into yourself , the more opportunities can be taken advantage of . Even if dynamics change , having more varied skills gives you a better chance of employment elsewhere . In his spare time Nkosi loves spending time with his friends and watching television , and to relax he also loves listening to music . His pastimes also included ambitions to be a professional soccer player , however this was one of the opportunities that bypassed him .
With the official middle name of ‘ Cooldown ’ bestowed on him by his father , the HVACR sector is an apt choice for the young man . People also describe Nkosi as a very calm individual with a great heart who loves laughing and is always friendly to all .
Nkosi ’ s long term future plans include intentions of opening a number of businesses as he realises that the older you get , the less hard you can work and therefore one needs to set themselves up to have that support in your older years .
“ Although I am a blank page today again ready to write my story , everything I have pushed myself to achaive is to be fully prepared for a life that is often uncertain . I want to continue learning in the HVACR sector and get to the point where I am the one to design the plants . If I had to offer advice to others , you have to be willing to try , and try many things . You have to invest in yourself and be prepared to work hard because that is when opportunity comes . My achievement to-date comes from pushing through ,” Nkosi said in conclusion . RACA
RACA Journal
Xolani Cooldown Nkosi is currently an aspiring apprentice who has spent his life saving up to then invest in improving his skill set .
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I February 2021 29