BURSARIES OFFERED: Culima Institute closes gap on lack of skills
In an effort to increase opportunities for artisan training in South Africa, Jet Park-based Culima Institute is supporting the upskilling initiative through offering R100 000 worth of bursaries in 2015.
Deserving students will be offered training in the following trades: mechanical fitter, fitter and turner, welder, boilermaker, electrician or millwright.
“Within these trades you can also qualify with a Diploma in Manufacturing Technology, a Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Technology or a Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Technology,” said Anthony Gewer, director of The Culima Institute.
Applicants need to have matric with maths and science, but those without these subject will be taken through a bridging programme once they are accepted.
Gewer said that recent skills audits have identified a large skills gap within South Africa of suitably trained and qualified artisans within the engineering and construction trades.
“The Minister of Higher Education and Training announced, at the start of 2014, that the country would need to produce more than double the number of artisans it is currently generating in order to meet the skills demand,” he explained.
“Therefore, for students looking to train for employability, artisan training should be the industry of choice.”
He added that Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor has identified poor maths and science at school level as a contributing factor to students not being accepted onto artisan programmes.
“The Culima Institute has taken on this challenge and developed a bridging programme to assist students who haven’t achieved the desired maths or science results,” he said.
“The Culima bridging programme focuses on the core maths and science skills required to gain acceptance onto the artisan training programme.”
Gewer said that the Institute offers City and Guilds qualifications, which are recognised internationally and are aligned to the skills requirements of industry, equipping students with the necessary practical skills to be successful on the job.
Contact the Culima Institute for more information about their specialised artisan training and available bursaries on 010 035 0362, or email to info@culima-institute.co.za.
