NPO’s free course helps fight unemployment
The welding and steel fabrication course is structured over six weeks to provide the basic theoretical, safety and practical training.
The committee of Siyangamela Upliftment Centre, a non-profit organisation, kicked off its first free welding and steel fabrication course in Ifafa recently.
The course is facilitated by welding inspector and the NPO’s chairperson, Emmanuel Gomes, who said the group comprises mostly men and a few women from Ifafa Beach, Mtwalume and Malangeni.
On registration day, the turnout confirmed that the youth are interested in securing skills to better their lives. The donated welding equipment was based on the provision for 12 learners, but 22 were taken in.
“The aim is to combat the unemployment crisis in the community and surrounding areas, often due to a lack of access to basic education for many teenagers. Welding and steel fabrication was chosen as the first trade because it is an in-demand, well-paid career that does not require a matric certificate,” said Gomes.
The course is structured over six weeks which provides the basic theoretical, safety and practical training under the guidance and supervision of qualified, industry professionals.
The first week focuses on the theory of welding and its functions, the safe handling of power tools, the correct use of PPE while handling power tools, as well as awareness on work ethics, and health and safety in the workplace. The remaining weeks focus on practical structural welding skills.
At a later stage, additional courses will be offered to students who want to continue to develop their skills at an advanced level. Students who have gone through the programme will then have access to the facility to practise their skills outside of training hours, without supervision.
Primary welding skills can be acquired in less than a year and are sufficient to prepare an individual for an entry-level welding career. The long-term vision is that by developing and offering these courses, the centre would identify and bring promising students up to a level where they would be eligible to be trade tested for employment in the metal industry.
“This initiative comes with running costs per course, and while we work on establishing our self-sustainability projects, we appeal to local businesses to assist. We need steel and sub grade metal (3CR12), plates and pipes for the students to practice their welding. These have been priced at R6kg from the closest scrapyard,” said Gomes.
The centre also needs donations for consumables such as welding wire and cutting discs, electricity bill, and for gas and fuel.
If anyone is able to assist, contact Peter de Klerk on 076 5856678 or Emmanuel Gomes on 071 9074333.
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