Events and Exhibitions
The graduates celebrated the ending of their training and the start of their careers .
59 STUDENTS CELEBRATED
AT GRADUATION CEREMONY
By Benjamin Brits
All images © RACA Journal | Benjamin Brits
The presentation of qualifications to students symbolised the achievement of the programme they had all worked through over the past two and a half years .
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Held at the Ekurhuleni East TVET Campus in May this year , most of the students in this programme were able to attend the official ceremony in high spirits .
Mr Edward Dunn , campus manager , opened the proceedings by welcoming the students and guests , adding , “ We are here today to celebrate our student ’ s success . They started with this programme over two years ago and I must say that I see such a difference in each of them from the first interviews they had . I trust everyone will have a good day with us in recognising them .” Grant Laidlaw , chief executive officer of the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Academy ( ACRA ) presented the opening address of the momentous occasion . As a collaboration , the programme produced a 100 % success rate in that of the 60 students selected to participate , only one exited at the beginning of the programme and the other 59 , of which half are women , passed successfully .
Further adding to the success of this programme was the fact that every student has already been placed or secured employment in the industry , thus addressing job creation and empowering the students with valuable skills .
“ We must foremost thank the Health and Wellness SETA that made this programme possible through their sponsorship and support , and going beyond to even pay stipends to the
RACA Journal I July 2021 students . Not only are these students empowered through skills and employment , but they will also in future be the ones that are creating jobs for others . By graduating today , they have all become our colleagues and they will help us move forward as an industry and country ,” said Laidlaw .
Introducing the next guests , Elaine Brass – chief executive officer of the HWSETA , and Margret Molefe of the Department of Forestry , Fisheries and the Environment ( DFFE ) who are both very involved in the refrigeration sector ’ s legislative side , Laidlaw acknowledged the other attending guests , including other SETA representatives , QCTO and NAMB representatives , and other programme supporters .
Also named were the Project consultants – RHP Consulting , and recognition was given to all of the workplace providers :
• AEIM Air and Electrical Services
• Airclima
• Atlas Air Conditioning
• Brasco Group
• Cold Curve Refrigeration
• Cool Tech
• ER Refrigeration
• HVAC Installations
• Skyshot Climate Solutions www . hvacronline . co . za