Solidarity launches new private technical college in Pretoria

Trade union Solidarity on Friday officially inaugurated its newly-built private vocational training college in Monument Park, Pretoria.

The Sol-Tech campus, a R300 million project completed in February this year, is an accredited technical college based on Christian values and uses Afrikaans as a medium of instruction.

Solidarity chief executive Dr Dirk Hermann said Sol-Tech was funded by monthly R10 contributions from its members.

“Everyone’s little bit put together has built a stronger future for our children,” Hermann said in a statement.

“Training is by definition future-orientated. It looks ahead and prepares the youth to build a future for themselves and to build a future for our country.

“While others flee to greener pastures, or turn inward wanting to look only after their own well-being or may have given up completely, we are building an institution to empower the youth so that they can create wealth for themselves and for their community in South Africa. This monument declares we are here to stay and to build.”

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Members of Solidarity at the official inauguration of the newly built Sol-Tech campus in Monument Park, Pretoria.

The vocational training college offers courses in artisanship like millwrights, diesel mechanics and tractor mechanics, among other skills. The college also claims its students are automatically more employable as they are thoroughly trained in new knowledge and skills.

The construction of the Sol-Tech campus officially started on 13 September 2019 and was completed earlier than planned. It was ready to receive its first students in February this year.

“This campus is a remarkable achievement for the community. It is a tangible result of what a community is capable of doing when it says: ‘We will do things ourselves.’ Today we celebrate this milestone together with every member and donor who has contributed to this milestone and we are proud of it with them. Our young people are resilient,” Hermann said.

“All we have to do is to see to it that there is air under their wings. This campus and Sol-Tech will provide the air beneath our young people’s wings – do come and have a look.”

Members of the public were invited to book a place to take a virtual tour of the campus.

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