Young apprentice competes in Brazil

Wadeville-based Saj Competence Training Institute was put on the map by Jeandré van der Watt’s recent achievement.

Van der Watt (22) is a young electrical apprentice artisan from the local training institute, who was recently selected to represent South Africa at the World Skills International competition, held in Brazil from yesterday to August 16.

Van der Watt is contracted by Nampak Glass, in Leondale, as an apprentice on a Chemical Industries Education Training (CHIETA) funded project.

“This young man started with his phase one training with us in October 2012, and while he was with us the feedback that came from his facilitators was that he was extremely fast, to the extent that they allowed him to join the group that started three months before he did,” said Saj’s director.

“The other element they remember about him is that he asked questions all the time, to ensure that he understands.”

Van der Watt departed for Brazil on Saturday, August 8.

“I have been busy with intense training in preparation for the competition and I am feeling very positive about it,” he said.

“I am hoping to do well and bring back some medals.

“I was selected by Saj to take part in the regional competition and I was the best in the electrical category, which resulted in my selection to compete in the nationals, in Cape Town.”

Van der Watt also said asking questions has helped him during his training and it is one of the things that sets him apart.

“I am not afraid to ask a lot of questions, because I want to make sure that I fully understand what I am being taught and I enjoy acquiring information and work through the information myself,” he said.

The young apprentice said his love for the electrical profession roots back to his childhood years.

“As a little boy I would always disassemble my remote control cars and take the motors out and play around with them,” he explained.

“I have a passion for it.

“I thank everybody at Saj who helped with my training; they drilled me and pushed me to work harder.

“Another thank you to everyone supporting me.”

The competition will see 72 other countries represented.

“Although we are competing against the world, I feel that with all the training I have gone through I can take them on,” added van der Watt.

“I just have to keep my head clear and not get overwhelmed by anything, because we are all there for the same reason and I just have to do what I do best and apply what I learnt at training.

“I hope to bring home a medallion of excellence, which is a top 10 position.”

Van der Watt gave a few words of encouragement to upcoming apprentices.

“Your own success comes from yourself; you must have the right attitude towards what you want to achieve in life,” he advised.

“There will be days where you might doubt yourself, but you have to remind yourself of the goal you are working towards and don’t forget that hard work pays off; what you put in is what you get out.”