Learners get unique opportunity
For the first time, learners from secondary schools around Merafong had an opportunity to learn more about an aviation career last week.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Education within the Merafong District, hosted a Youth Show in Aviation at Fochville Secondary School on Thursday, 23 March. About 500 Gr. 10 to Gr. 12 learners from schools across the area attended.
Although many people think being a pilot is the only occupation in this field, those who attended also learned what it takes to be part of the cabin crew, an aviation accident investigator and even a drone pilot.
They also learned that if they achieve excellent marks at the end of matric, they can get bursaries for local and even overseas training in this field.
“In aviation, the money follows you,” said the aviation development and stakeholder relations officer at the SACAA and the event organiser, Mr Moses Mushovholwa.
Various speakers motivated the learners to start working hard and get good enough marks to qualify for the available bursaries.
Mushovholwa told the Herald this was the first such outreach in Merafong. According to the SACAA’s communication officer, Mr Tshepo Mokono, the event was part of the authority’s integrated career exhibition and promotional strategy to entice learners to the aviation world.
“It is one of our corporate social responsibility’s mandates to develop and promote aviation,” Mokono says.
SACAA presented various displays as part of the event.
