The Randfontein Welding School held its graduation ceremony to celebrate its 21 trainees who will leave the institution and be placed in jobs.
This is with the aim of counteracting unemployment which is rife in the country and giving the young trainees an opportunity to enter the job market – after six weeks of training. The graduation ceremony was held at the company’s site in Aureus on September 9, where sparks were flying while they were using their welding machines.
The Herald spoke to Joseph Kroet, who is the founder and director of Randfontein Welding School.
“We provide training in welding and we work with different schools and the private sector. Once trainees have completed their courses with us, we place them in jobs within different companies including the mines. We have placed some of our trainees at international companies such as in Canada and the likes.
“We also offer an apprenticeship which is a full-year programme,” said Kroet.
Xoli Manzini, one of the trainees told the Herald that he was really proud of himself and his fellow trainees.
We are really excited that we are graduating and we are looking forward to being placed. This will give us an opportunity to participate in the job market and put food on the table, while boosting the economy,” said Manzini.