Celebrating a group of 40 selected apprentices

Samsung Electronics South Africa and the Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training Centre (EASTC). in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), recently celebrated 40 apprentices at a graduation ceremony.

The Samsung EEIP EASTC, a 24-month SETA-accredited air-conditioning and refrigeration technician apprenticeship programme, was started when Samsung became aware of the country’s shortage of technicians to service consumer electronics and hand-held devices in the market.

The company, therefore, decided to sponsor a 24-month SETA-accredited apprenticeship programme in partnership with the EASTC.

Forty apprentices worked with mentors to grow their skills and address ICT education for unemployed youth in SA. The outcome of this apprenticeship programme is to develop Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills in artisans training and ensure a portfolio of practical experience and skills that is transferred to improve the EASTC youth’s employability.

These technicians have graduated and completed all the requirements, including trade testing to be certified by the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) as qualified technicians.

Hlubi Shivanda, the director of business operations, innovation and corporate affairs at Samsung SA, said: “This graduation celebration is one of our proudest moments. Since the launch of our R280m Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) in 2019, our mission has been to empower the country’s youth in the ICT sector, and this programme has now produced incredible results.”

This apprenticeship programme is one of the company’s EEIP initiatives that harness the power of technology to train and inspire young people to pursue their ambitions. This technician apprenticeship is a fully funded bursary programme for tuition, equipment and stipends.

It is a comprehensive skills development investment programme that prioritises the delivery of an integrated package of personal, technical, entrepreneurial and business skills aligned to meet the needs of the SA’s economic development strategies.

Simon Ndukwana, the EASTC CEO, said: “As a college, we are grateful for the partnership with Samsung and the positive impact this programme is having on our students.

“This programme is vital to our students because it turns them into qualified and accredited artisans with critical ICT skills needed by the country’s economy.

“This essentially means the employment prospects for our students are now raised even higher.”

Emmanuel Hlopulusa saw a recruitment advert for the programme on social media. Having grown up and attended high school in Ivory Park, Tembisa, he applied to participate in the programme.

Hlopulusa found the programme’s first few months difficult because he had no prior exposure to artisan training.

The facilitators have equipped learners like Hlopulusa with skills to repair and maintain air-conditioners and refrigerators.

Hlopulusa said: “We learnt a lot throughout the programme, including practical experience during the workplace training phase. I knew nothing about aircon and refrigeration, but this exposure will help me start my own business or increase my chances of employment in large companies.

“I am grateful to EASTC and Samsung for sponsoring me. I appreciate the financial support we received because it included a stipend that covered my travel costs to school and money to buy food. I can now proudly call myself a qualified aircon and refrigeration technician, and it is all because of Samsung.

“This programme has improved my chances in life, and I appreciate what this experience has done for me,” said Hlopulusa.

With 4IR at the centre of everything everyone does, Samsung believes SA now needs to equip the youth to seize opportunities in the ICT sector. The company’s continued ICT education investment efforts have ensured SA’s youth gain artisanal and electronic skills.

Shivanda emphasised: “The success of this apprenticeship programme is an affirmation of our commitment to continue empowering the leaders of tomorrow through educational initiatives that help to change their lives by increasing their prospects for employability or entrepreneurship.”