Learners reap fruits from Denel teaching programme

Mike Ngidi, the group executive HR & Transformation says Denel is contributing to an improvement in the quality of maths and science teaching through outreach programmes and additional tuition offered to learners in disadvantaged areas. "Through our education programmes, we are opening new study and career opportunities to deserving students - especially in the engineering professions," says Ngidi.

In Olievenhoutbosch, a sprawling informal settlement near Centurion, grade 8 to 11 learners from the Steve Tshwete High School meet on Saturdays to attend extra classes in maths and science. Some 44 engineers from Denel Dynamics contribute their time and knowledge on a voluntary basis every weekend to provide the tuition. Capacity building programmes are conducted with teachers from the school to ensure continuity between the school syllabus and the additional classes and the students who attend are provided with study guides, stationery and bags.

Five learners achieved distinctions

Venashree McPherson, the People Development Manager at Denel Dynamics, says the programme has been running since 2009 and benefits more than 80 learners every year. Three learners achieved distinctions in maths and science in 2010, followed by another two last year.

A graduate of the programme, Kgaugelo Mokholwane, last year received a bursary from Denel Dynamics to continue his studies at tertiary level. "Our intention is to promote engineering as a career choice for school leavers through our tutoring programme and the provision of bursaries to deserving students," says McPherson.

The Denel Training Academy (DTA) has struck up a partnership with education authorities in the North West Province to beef up the quality of maths and science teaching. The DTA sponsors learners from five high schools to attend extra classes during weekends and holidays at the Vaal Reefs Technical High School. Five of the students of the 2011 matric class achieved distinctions in physical science while a further three graduated with distinctions in mathematics and four in life sciences.

Denel Aviation offers bursaries

Denel Aviation is offering bursaries to some 90 apprentices and artisans in the fields of aircraft repair and maintenance work. A growing number of these trainees will in future be drawn from the company's involvement in education projects in the Ramaphosa informal settlement on the East Rand, says Denel Aviation's communications consultant, Elelwani Mainganye.

Fifteen new learners started their three-year training course at Denel Aviation in Kempton Park. "We are investing more than R100 000 a year per student by providing bursaries that cover tuition, study material, stipends and protective clothing," she says. The company regularly attends air shows and exhibitions in all nine provinces to promote career opportunities in the aviation industry. "There is often a perception among the youth that aviation is only about pilots and air hostesses," says Mainganye. "We are introducing them to a wide range of career opportunities - all of which are vital to ensure a plane stays safely in the sky."