ACTOM, the largest manufacturer and supplier of electromechanical equipment in sub-Saharan Africa, has opened a new training centre facility that offers a variety of apprenticeship programmes. Technical training manager, Kobus Swanepoel explains that relocating the 30-year-old training centre to its new and bigger premises will enable the training centre to leverage new state-of-the-art equipment and training facilities for more apprentices per intake. “The training centre is accredited for training apprentices in eight different trades, namely mechanical fitter, fitter and turner, metal machinist, tool, jig and die maker, millwright, electrician, boilermaker, and welder,” he says. “The apprentice programmes we offer are completed over three years, and consist of theoretical, practical and work-based training components. At the end of the training, apprentices must pass a trade test to obtain a Red Seal certificate, allowing them to be recognised internationally as artisans.”
When ACTOM initially established the training centre, the idea behind it was to train artisans specifically for the company. However, about three years ago, the company expanded this mandate to extend training to apprentices from other companies. “We are planning to position our training centre as one of the best in the country,” says Swanepoel. “We have invested a considerable amount of money to produce quality apprentices that will ultimately help the industry. There is a tremendous need for people to be trained in trade skills. I believe that we can make a huge difference in the industry and to people’s lives by giving them greater opportunities.”
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