• Assessment and Trade Testing of noncontractual learners; and
• Continuous upskilling of artisans.
The SEIFSA Training Centre also assists and |
supports companies with recruitment and |
selection of learners, as well as training and |
placement |
of |
un-contracted |
learners |
and |
apprentices. |
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Accreditation
The STC holds full merSETA, CHIETA as well as Energy and Water Sector Education Training Authority( EWSETA) accreditation as a training centre as well as National Artisan Moderation Body accreditation as a decentralised trade test centre.
“ Providers of education and training, such as the STC, must apply for accreditation with an Education and Training Quality Assurance( ETQA) body under the South African Qualifications Authority( SAQA). All providers of education and training offering full qualifications must also be registered with the Department of Higher Education. We, at SEIFSA, are proud that we have received accreditation by Merseta, the CHIETA, the EWSETA as well as the Quality Council for Trades and Occupation( QCTO).
Therefore, students can be assured that the training offered by the STC is of the highest quality and that any certificate awarded will be recognised by employers nationally. Companies that choose the STC as the place at which to train their apprentices will also be satisfied that when deployed within the work environment, the skills of the learners will become self evident,” said Melanie Mulholland, SEIFSA Human Capital and Skills Development Executive.
As part of its corporate social investment initiative, SEIFSA has, over the years, also sponsored and trained more than 80 apprentices, of whom more than 70 % have been placed in apprenticeship programmes mainly with its member companies. Many of the apprentices are now qualified artisans.
As part of its vision going forward, SEIFSA will seek to contribute actively to the Decade of the Artisan as contemplated in 2013 by the then Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande, who called for a“ decade of the artisan” from 2014 to 2024 in a bid to increase skills levels in South Africa. Artisanship is the cornerstone of the country’ s economy and the status of artisans needs to be elevated so that more young people see artisanship as a career path. The STC supports this view and is already making a difference in the lives of many including:
Tsakani Mukhari- the First Female Training Consultant at the STC
Tsakani Mukhari is a 36-year-old mother from the outskirts of Limpopo who has taken the jump and landed on the stepping stone of her future. She has become the inspirational story for her family and friends by becoming an Artisan and launching her successful career in the industry. The STC is proud to have played a part in her rise.
In the early 2000s, Ms Mukhari moved to Gauteng to complete her National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at the Tshwane University of Technology. In order to make ends meet, her journey after University began as a Boom-Gate officer and as a cleaner in Pretoria. One day seemed to blur into the next. With very little motivation, she applied for various Mechanical Technician positions. Armed only with a National Senior Certificate from Nwamalobye High School and her National Diploma, Tsakani realised that in order to reach her full potential, she would have to complete her N3 certificate in Mechanical Engineering to make herself more competitive in the job market.
With her goal on the horizon, she stayed focused and started an apprenticeship for a company associated with the SEIFSA Training Centre, where she was sent as a student to complete her Artisanship in 2012. Finally, Tsakani’ s future had started to come together and the dream of becoming an Engineer and making her late father proud seemed to be coming closer by the day.
“ I will never look back after being a student at the SEIFSA Training Centre, and I encourage people of all different backgrounds to join,” said Ms Mukhari.
Four years later, she is a qualified Fitter and Turner, holds an N3 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering and has a Semi-Skilled Certificate in tool, jig and die-making. Above all, Ms Mukhari was awarded Best Female Student in 2012. Today, she is the SEIFSA Training Centre’ s first female Training Consultant. The Centre’ s Director, Operations Manager Desmond Uithaler, says“ even with such a great achievement to her name, Ms Mukhari continues to aim high.”
Said Ms Mukhari:“ The SEIFSA Training Centre allows for a positive learning experience. Although the work is challenging at times, the confidence in my work and in myself has grown.”
Some of her daily responsibilities include intensive research, preparing monthly schedules for her classes and conducting both theoretical and practical examinations completed by her students. Whilst her duties at the centre keep her extremely busy, she is also currently completing her Bachelor of Technology( BTech) degree in Mechanical Engineering, in the hope of one day becoming a qualified Mechanical Engineer. In addition to all of this, Ms Mukhari wishes to pursue a career in Project Management and Operations by using her flair for scheduling and processes.
Ms Mukhari is part of the rise of the female artisan around the world and the STC currently has more than 40 female students training to become Electricians, Fitters, Turners and Boilermakers. Her years of experience in the industry as a student and now as a training consultant tell potential female artisans to stay focused and remain passionate.
The demand for artisans is growing everyday. Yet, there is a shortage of artisans in South Africa. Since women make up 51 % of the South African population, younger women should consider joining the industry to alleviate the
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