News


Next generation of skilled artisans

November 2024 News

The objectives of the Sasol and Kagiso Trust National Skills Competition are addressing the skills shortage, boosting economic and inclusive growth, reducing unemployment, and aligning with South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) to produce 30 000 artisans annually by 2030. The national finals recently took place in Johannesburg.

This annual skills competition sees the partners contribute to boosting the vocational skills pool of the country, an initiative dedicated to the promotion of skilled trades and technologies as viable, first-choice career options for South African youth. The competition aims to encourage young people to consider a career in skilled craftsmanship and the many opportunities that people trained in these specialisations can have access to.

August and September saw learners and teachers from various schools across the country compete against each other and demonstrate their skills in welding, woodwork, civil services, automotive, electronics, construction, electrical work, and engineering graphics and design (EGD). The finals saw the top students and teachers from each province compete for the accolade of national winner in each category, with prizes including apprenticeships worth R300 000 from the Artisan Training Institute and scholarships worth R20 000 from CAD4ALL and StemLAB, and also robotics kits, toolsets, courses and vouchers, with other prize sponsors including Modena and Old Mutual.

“At Kagiso Trust we recognise that addressing South Africa’s skills gap, particularly in artisanal trades, is essential for the economic empowerment of our youth. By partnering with Sasol Foundation and the Department of Education in this initiative, we are not only promoting vocational training as a viable career option, but also directly contributing to the future of our economy. Programmes like these build a pipeline of skilled individuals who will drive innovation and growth, while also tackling the pressing issue of youth unemployment,” says Dr Mankodi Moitse, CEO of the Kagiso Trust.

“An exciting trend which is escalating every year is the number of girl learners who are not only participating, but also winning their categories, a trend worth celebrating as more women become skilled in various trades, and become more financially independent,” says Gao Mothoagae, vice president of the Sasol Foundation.

Sasol itself will also benefit from skilled youngsters in its fence-line communities who can participate in shutdown processes and other technical community projects, thus further benefiting the communities in which it operates.

For more information contact Mandisa Tselane, Kagiso Trust, +27 11 566 1900, [email protected], www.kagiso.co.za




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.

Read more...
Groundbreaking renewable energy skills platform
News
South Africa’s renewable energy sector has taken a significant leap forward with the launch of PowerUp. A South African first, this online platform is designed to equip the country’s workforce with the skills required to meet industry demands.

Read more...
Innomotics wins Platinum TITAN Brand Award for Best Corporate Rebranding
News
Innomotics has been awarded with the Platinum TITAN Brand Award for Best Corporate Rebranding. The international jury honoured Innomotics’ efforts to develop a powerful and recognisable brand after the carve-out of Innomotics from the Siemens Group in 2023.

Read more...
Unlocking Africa’s hydrogen potential
News
Africa is positioning itself as a frontrunner in the global green energy revolution, with hydrogen emerging as a critical commodity of strategic and national importance across the continent. Namibia is putting ambition into action by having already reached a number of key milestones towards final investment decision on up to five projects.

Read more...
Fuchs doubles sales volume
News
An aggressive growth strategy in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa over the last decade has resulted in Fuchs Lubricants South Africa achieving a CAGR of 6% in volume sold since 2015. The result of this is that sales volume has nearly doubled in this time.

Read more...
High-quality sensing and automation equipment
News
The Turck Banner Demo Van is showcasing the company’s latest products and solutions.Turck Banner sells directly to end users and OEMs in a broad range of industries and applications.

Read more...
SA company uses AI to break the language barrier
News
Helm has a unique approach to AI that allows it to automate customer communication in any of South Africa’s 11 official spoken languages.

Read more...
From ground to compound: the journey of crude oil
Wearcheck News
You’re in for a ‘crude awakening’ when you download WearCheck’s latest Technical Bulletin. You will be treated to an in-depth explanation of the processes of producing oil, fuel and other petrochemical wonders that power our modern lifestyle.

Read more...
2025 – a year for growth, amid industry challenges
News
Automation is rapidly emerging as a catalyst for industrial transformation, enabling businesses to meet sustainability targets, enhance productivity and drive economic efficiency.

Read more...
Come and meet Pepper, the friendly humanoid robot
SAIMC News
Pepper, the friendly humanoid robot, is ready to welcome visitors at the SAIMC/SA Instrumentation & Control stand for an interactive glimpse into the future of robotics.

Read more...