After only five years, the Durnacol Skills Innovation Hub (DSIH) is getting ready to shed it’s toddler ways and determine it’s own fate.
Grounded by its motto, “Anchored in Excellence”, DSIH hosted a business breakfast meeting with various stakeholders including Arcelor Mittal, Vencor Dorbyl and LANXESS, among others, in Newcastle a few weeks ago to discuss ways to build profitable relationships regarding technical skills training and placement for students undergoing training at the hub.
It was also to bridge the gap by addressing skills required, while bringing a wealth of experience to trade industry by assisting student’s dreams turn to reality.
Registered with the Department of Education, and accredited by the Education and Training Quality Assurance and Umalusi, the Hub offers trades like fitting, electrician, fitter and turner, millwright, motor diesel mechanic and skills programme.
Impressed by the content and presentation, a respective delegation from Arcelor Mittal descended to the Hub on Monday to see what the facility provided and how sustainable it was in terms of industry requirements.
“We were very honoured to host the delegation and allow them to experience first-hand what we offer. Our main objective is to ensure that our students undergo a training programme in a manner that enables them to enter the job market. In that way we also assist in improving local employment prospects within the technical industry,” said Managing Director of DSIH, Alice Pool, who is only the second woman in the country to head an institution of this kind.
“They were impressed with the skills we provide, how we adhere to safety measures, and mostly, by our compliance with the requirements that may in future enable our students to easily adapt to an industrial environment.”
She also added they might extend the relationship by housing Arcelor Mittal’s employees by offering them necessary skills while also identifying unemployed individuals from its community who lack skills.
“While our vision is to incorporate a range of training sectors, we also aim to contribute in the upliftment of the citizens of Amajuba District and beyond,” said Mrs Pool.