A collaborative effort to create job opportunities for artisan students of the Ehlanzeni TVET College is on the table.

This is according to a member of the municipal council under the corporate services and support portfolio at the City of Mbombela, Phumzile Mashego.

Mashego said she would ensure and oversee the implementation of an agreement that would ease the shortage of qualified workforce needed at the municipality, and highlight the quality of education provided by the college.

She said she will encourage the executive committee to back her up and give feedback to the college soon.

This resolution was made by the deputy minister of higher education and training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, who also welcomed the solution to tackle the unemployment rate of young people, during the oversight visit at the Ehlanzeni TVET College Wednesday, April 9.

Gondwe reiterated the importance of TVET colleges in rural areas and her passion for seeing them excel. “Our vision is that students, upon completing their programmes, should either find employment or be empowered to create jobs. These colleges must rise to the challenge of producing more artisans to meet the country’s critical shortage.”

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Gondwe said the oversight visit is an ongoing commitment to strengthen skills development and promote work-based learning programmes that are aligned with industry demands. She spent two days with the management, stakeholders and students of the college at the Mlumati campus in KaMhlushwa last Tuesday, and the Mbombela campus on Wednesday, April 9.

While she hailed the Department of Higher Education and Training’s availability and willingness to engage with colleges and support their development needs, the college’s principal, Elias Mbuyane, took the opportunity to urgently ask for resources to revamp the campuses and address student funding issues and accommodation.

“We will assist with the eradication of asbestos roofing at Mlumati campus and I came with a help desk consultant in my office to assist students with Nsfas challenges,” she said.

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She complimented the college’s commitment to quality education and called for the implementation of more courses.

“There is funding available from the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Seta for courses in forestry, furniture and upholstery and more. The college would need to get accredited in these courses and apply for the funding thereafter,” Gondwe said.