Umfolozi college gets students on the road

UMFOLOZI FET College, in conjunction with the Coega Development Corporation (CDC), has become the first FET college in KZN to launch the corporate social investment (CSI) driver training programme.

On Wednesday, Coega handed over a state-of-the-art driver simulator to the FET College. The driver simulator is a stationary machine designed for off-road beneficiary training.

The launch marks the introduction of the CDC programme in KwaZulu-Natal after it has been successfully operational in the Eastern Cape since 2008 where it has benefited thousands of people.

The high-tech driver simulator was handed over to the FET College so students, general youth and the unemployed in the eSikhawini area can benefit from off-road training.

CDC’s investment in the simulation-based training is based on the benefits of the programme, which include significant cost savings, improved safety, more effective use of controls, and a much wider range of exposure to hazardous driving conditions, all from the safety of a simulator.

‘Many learners have never sat behind a steering wheel, let alone had any driving experience. It is essential these individuals spend time on simulators to gain confidence before they drive on a public road,’ said, CDC head of marketing and communications, Ayanda Vilakazi

‘Today’s launch is particularly important to us as it affirms CDC’s progress in KZN and the impact the driver programme will have in up-skilling the youth of eSikhawini,’ said CDC executive manager, Adv Zuko Mapoma,

‘The impact we want to have on society is central to the work we are doing and this programme assists in up-skilling its beneficiaries. We certainly hope the hordes of students take advantage of the opportunity to gain free training and that the experience changes their lives for the better.’

The driver training programme dates back to 2008 when the CDC decided to enhance the employability of their interns by providing them with an opportunity to obtain their drivers licenses.

‘Now that we have partnered with Coega, our students will become easily employable and enter the workplace with driver’s licenses. Nowadays, it is essential to have a driver’s license as it is required by most employers,’ said Campus Principal Umfolozi FET College, Samuel Zungu.

Wednesdays launch marks the start of various activities to be undertaken by Coega KZN in the next couple of weeks. The organisation will also launch the programme at the Elangeni FET College on Thursday.