Sanaco project empowers 175 beneficiaries with vital skills
The Energy and Water Services Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) and the South African National Apex Cooperative Ltd (Sanaco) held a project launch and graduation ceremony at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre.
The project, aimed at eradicating unemployment, saw 175 beneficiaries graduate after completing a General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) learnership in general technical practice.
In October 2014, EWSETA entered into an agreement with Sanaco and enrolled the same beneficiaries for a National Certificate in electrical engineering. This qualification will support the beneficiaries in their quest to find employment in the artisan industry. “I feel happy and excited for the future because I know the certificate I have received will get me the job I need,” said Margrate Malekhutu, one of the programme’s beneficiaries.
According to the acting chairperson of EWSETA, Besnaar Olebogeng, this project highlights the potential of the role of cooperative support in building the economy.
“It also assists in meeting the national government’s imperatives as well as contributing to the call of government to strengthen support towards the informal sector and in particular cooperatives,” said Olebogeng.
“The programme aims to address the skills shortage in the sector by driving skills delivery in the energy and water sector, facilitating the increase of artisan skills capacity within the energy and water sector, capacitation of beneficiaries with knowledge and skill in the electrical trade to successfully qualify as artisans and increasing access to occupationally directed programmes.”
