MEC launches Engineering School of Specialisation in Thembisa
With the launch of this school, the Gauteng Department of Education has achieved a remarkable feat, having launched 30 schools of specialisation to date.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane launched Thuto Ke Maatla Engineering School of Specialisation with a focus on manufacturing of industrial equipment in Thembisa on October 26.
With the launch of this school, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has achieved a remarkable feat, having launched 30 schools of specialisation to date.
Thuto Ke Maatla was launched in Thembisa because the township has emerged as a center of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.
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According to Chiloane, Thembisa has much to offer, from its diverse and multicultural community to its bustling marketplaces and vibrant arts scene.
“The school, through its diligent learners, needs to further enhance the economy of Thembisa by identifying its challenges and find innovative ways to solve them.
“They should service the needs of the community, especially those who are in close proximity to the school.”
The establishment of a school of specialisation with a focus on manufacturing industrial equipment is based on this school being located in Ekurhuleni, which is part of the eastern economic development corridor.
The main industries within this corridor are manufacturing, transport and logistics.
Accordingly, trains are manufactured in Nigel.
“We envision the school partnering with, and having excursions, at the relevant companies where said manufacturing is done.
“This will be beneficial towards skills development and enable learners to become professional accredited artisans,” said Chiloane.
Industrial equipment includes tools and fabrication equipment such as power saws, drills, hand tools, metal-working machines, polishing machines, presses, boilers, industrial ovens, and industrial scales.
“Learners have shown that they can excel utilising these tools.”
Barloworld Equipment in Isando, also utilises this industrial equipment, offering earthmoving equipment, industrial services, and power systems.
This allows for the maintenance of a large array of mining, construction, and power solutions.
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“This is what the learners should be able to do, and as such partnership with the said company is key.
“At Barloworld Equipment, learners can access the various simulators, learning how to operate the industrial equipment that they should learn to make.
“There is also a workshop where learners will see the various machinery and processes that go into manufacturing industrial equipment. Learners should do job shadowing during the school holidays.
“Indeed, we are excited and proud to have established such schools that impart invaluable future skills to learners.
“We will continue to launch these schools until we achieve our goal of introducing about 36 of such schools in Gauteng. The future of our education is bright,” said Chiloane.
