MBAWC provides 21 bursaries to young apprentices

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According to group skills facilitator at the MBAWC, Tony Keal, these bursaries have been given to individuals who have been recommended by their employers as well as by other institutions. "We only provide tuition for those that have attained fair results in their first year of education as there is a huge drop-out rate during the initial year of study."

The MBAWC's apprenticeship programme, which was implemented in 2010, has seen 142 matriculants being given the opportunity to earn while they learn. "The MBAWC pays for their training and places them with our member organisations for experience. After all, a worker that understands his or her trade produces quality work," explains Keal.

Future entrepreneurs

"Our first intake of apprentices will be qualifying next year and we are looking forward to equipping the class of 2014 with the skills and experience they need to become master builders. Apprenticeships not only create skilled people, but also future entrepreneurs in the industry."

Matthew Volkwyn, Raeez Abrahams and William Jeffree are among the apprentices who will be qualifying in 2016. The three are currently employed by RMI Plumbing while they study towards qualifications as artisans.

Volkwyn, who was the MBAWC Apprentice of the Year in 2014, says it was a relief to get an apprenticeship. "At my previous job, my boss said that I could work there but that I would need to pay for my own studies. When I found out this opportunity was available I jumped on it because I was not earning what I wanted, but through MBAWC I could do something about it."

Grateful for opportunity

Abrahams shares that he is very grateful to have been given this opportunity. Having grown up with financial struggles, the MBAWC apprenticeship has offered him a chance to pursue a lucrative career in a field that he loves. Once he qualifies he intends to work for another few years, gain experience and build up a client base in order to start up his own company.

Additional programmes offered by the MBAWC include short skills courses as well as full skills programmes in various trades. These are offered free of charge to employees of MBAWC members. "We are also exploring the development of programmes in Maths and Science to equip young people in disadvantaged areas of the Western Cape with knowledge in these essential subjects," shares Keal.