Engen extends its artisan programme

Rob Gasken, maintenance-training specialist, Enref Training & Development, says the rolling learnership programme will gather momentum until it functions at full capacity. "In 2011, we will take on 21 learners - seven each in the aforementioned areas."

To join the programme, candidate learners must have matric with maths and science. In year one, they will be trained at NQF Level 2 in their chosen field at accredited training providers and do experiential training at the refinery.

In year two, they will study towards their NQF 3 and be given more training. In this year, another 21 NQF Level 2 learners will join them, with the same contractual obligations. As these two groups progress to NQF 3 and 4 in year three, they will be joined by a third group of 21 learners at NQF 2 level. Once qualified at Level 4, learners will leave training and take up employment - with the company or elsewhere in the industry.

This is a move to help address the dire loss of artisan skills in the petrochemical industry, which has hit jobseekers as hard as it has the industry. "For the 21 positions currently being filled we received more than 1000 applications - from one internally-published advertisement," says Gasken.

He explains that a large-scale withdrawal from artisan training by industry has led to a critical skills shortage, which is keenly felt during planned plant shutdowns for maintenance.

Extending SNF training

"Of its own accord, the Shutdown Network Forum [SNF], representing all petrochemical industries involved in shutdowns, decided to train people in the skills needed to add value to shutdowns. After more discussions we decided to train them to a qualification that is more beneficial to the learners and the country as a whole."

As a result, the SNF Oil, Gas & Chemical Manufacturing project started in 2005, with support from most of the major refineries. Government offered a training incentive in the form of a grant and the project set out to train 1 000 artisans.

"This project was very successful. Hundreds of previously disadvantaged youngsters were trained up through NQF Levels 2, 3 and 4, in various trades. Under the project, our company trained 102 matriculants. Of these, 96 completed all three levels. These learners are to be found working in industry throughout South Africa today. The top performers are working here at the refinery in their trade."

Continuing without government support

Since then, government grants have ceased but the company decided to continue with the training. "In the ensuing time, we have trained 15 fitters to Level 4. They completed their training this year and the four top performers joined Enref as artisans. We are also currently training 36 Level 4 learners in fitting, welding and boiler making."

Gasken says training is an arduous task, with administration and logistical challenges. "But it is also immensely rewarding - for the learner, the company and the industry. When somebody succeeds because of a one-in-a-thousand chance that they grabbed with both hands, it gives a glimpse of the kind of resolve that will ultimately start to address the skills crisis that is facing the country currently," he concludes.