HIGHVELD – Sasol has given 60 local youths the opportunity to be trained as plumbers for 18 months at the Gert TVET Sibande College.
At the end of their training, they will receive accredited NQF level 4 qualifications in plumbing.
They will be awarded the opportunity to undergo on-the-job training where they will work at selected schools in the area and at municipal facilities.
Sasol and their partners, Cobra Watertech (Pty) Ltd, Rand Water, Gert Sibande TVET College and Govan Mbeki Municipality, launched the War on Leaks Project Plumbing Learnership for unemployed youths in the Govan Mbeki Municipal area on Wednesday, 15 March.
This came after the Department of Water and Sanitation’s call to save water through the War on Leaks Campaign in 2016 and Sasol vowed their support to the call.
The first phase of the campaign identified six schools in the municipality with high water consumption as a result of water leaks.
Water consumption at these schools averaged 1 000m³/week, which was reduced to 275m³/week upon the implementation of the project.
The campaign won a Responsible Care Award (Category A) from the Allied and Chemical Industries Association.
During this phase, 12 local unemployed youths were given basic plumber training and on-the-job training by Sasol and collaborative partners.
The group is part of the 60 youths who will now undertake the NQF level 4 training.
“Sasol remains committed to the success of communities and municipalities around our operations,” said Ms Maureen Mboshane, vice president: Corporate Affairs, Sasol Secunda Operations.
“I hope the learnership recipients will take the opportunity with both hands and complete the training with flying colours in order to set the standard for the others that will follow.”
Mr Andy Camphausen, Cobra Inland Specifications manager, said: “Cobra has a proud history with our plumbing fraternity and in light of this history, we believe in continued skills development.
“Cobra is proud to be associated with the War on Leaks Project Plumbing Learnership for unemployed youths.
“We are committed to uplift communities by providing people with skills that will help them better their lives and provide skills that communities will benefit from.”
Mr Anthony Makhaye, MMC for Technical Service, commanded Sasol for the opportunity it gives to unemployed youths and said this will boast the local economy and reduce the unemployment rate.
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