The initiative is aimed to help apprentices qualify to become professional artisans and work in the various sectors where skills are needed in the country, but specifically the Western Cape.
The apprentices started the programme at Northlink on 6 February and have been presented the opportunity to do their apprenticeships in the fields of boilermaking, welding, automotive and diesel mechanic along with carpentry, painting, plumbing and bricklaying. They will be part of this initiative that will be rolled-out over the next two years.
Says De Lille: "Many of the people who have the knowledge to keep the water flowing or the light on are retiring. Until now, there was no real critical mass of new people with the requisite expertise to replace them." The apprentices will be doing their practical training for eight weeks in 2012 whereafter they will be plying their newly acquired skills to the council. They will be back in 2013 for a further eight weeks to conclude their apprenticeship training.
"Northlink College will always strive to provide in the educational, training and developmental needs of not just our province but our country and in doing so assist in the alleviation of the immense skills shortage that our country is facing," says Leon Beech, CEO of Northlink College.
