The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa (SEIFSA) has committed to investing in its SEIFSA Training Centre (STC) and calls on the private sector to offer students experiential learning opportunities.

The SEIFSA Training Centre offers accredited occupational and apprenticeship programmes, specialised short courses in the engineering field, safety training, production technology training, and other non-accredited and accredited courses. It offers training in nine trades namely welder, boilermaker, mechanical fitter, fitter and turner, turner machinist, millwright, pipe fitter, electrical and instrumentation.

The Training Centre is in the process of upgrading its legacy toolmaker accreditation to an occupational qualification for modern toolmakers. This trade is aligned with Level 5 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF level 5), increasing the number of trades offered at the training centre to 10.

SEIFSA Training Centre Director Emile Jacobs says the new equipment the centre has invested in for the modern toolmakers’ accreditation will help to make artisans more employable and reduce the need to import workers from other countries.

“There will be improved productivity because the toolmakers will be able to use modern equipment. Upskilling artisans, such as training the modern toolmaker with new skills, is good for industry.”

The training centre also runs an incubation hub pilot project, teaching artisans business skills, including marketing, business plan development and costing. The artisans who complete the incubation process are equipped with skills to create work for themselves and in time others.

“SEIFSA is committed to supporting Government efforts to increase the number of skilled people in the industry and in turn the country. We are creating a pipeline and pool of skilled individuals. Moreover, we are proud to mention that the centre is equipped to accommodate and train people with disabilities. This positions the SEIFSA Training Centre as a valuable contributor in giving disabled persons a chance at a meaningful career, while at the same time the STC is a strategic partner for companies striving to meet compliance targets that prescribe the involvement of people with disabilities in the workplace,” says Zizile Lushaba-Nyawo, SEIFSA Human Capital and Skills Development Executive.