More skills for Sparrow College

An exciting new skills programme has been added to the Sparrow FET College curriculum.

The college, based in Sophiatown and specialising in furniture-making, auto-repair and welding, launched a new Merseta-accredited qualification in conjunction with fluid power solution specialists, Pirtek.

Pirtek will be training suitable candidates the art of fluid power hose assembling. The company is funding 16 Sparrow College students and even providing workplace experience – a pivotal part for the completion of their programme.

Various industry experts gathered on 11 July for the introduction session.

The fluid power hose assemblies skills programme is an initiative to add more skilled workers to the hydraulic hose industry.

“This partnership is beneficial for both the industry and Pirtek,” Kieron Goss, managing director of the company said.

“We need qualified, skilled people.”

The first group of students, who were also part of the big day, were all geared up in Pirtek-branded protective jackets, T-shirts and beanies. It was evident that they were excited to be part of the programme and to meet their sponsors.

The Pirtek training programme is a full-time bursary that lasts six months. Students will be spending the first half of their training covering the intensive theoretical component and practical training this work entails in the simulated workshop on campus. In the last three months, students will be placed in Pirtek workshops to gain workplace experience before being certified as competent. This qualification will equip students with the skills required to make up hydraulic hose assemblies, identify and select the correct fittings, read and interpret basic fluid power engineering drawings and maintain safe working procedures.

The day closed with national franchise and administration manager, Ray Wentzel, and one of the students, Mary Kgoanyane, cutting a ribbon to commemorate the official opening of their workshop.