F’SASEC students move to front of the class

SEDIBENG.- The French South African Schneider Electric Education Centre (F’SASEC) at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) has changed the lives of young people who had little idea of their desired career path when they first left school.

Following their completion of the N1 and N2 courses for Electrical Engineering offered at their state-of-the-art facility and training centre, Luvo Dubula and Mirriam Monyai have exceeded expectations.

Both are now full-time lecturers at the centre. The course offered by F’SASEC is inclusive of both industrial and domestic installations, where the emphasis is placed on practical experience in order to prepare students for industry. It was the offer of practical hours that first piqued Dubula’s interest in the course.

“I came across the opportunity to study at F’SASEC after I saw the ad in the newspaper. I applied and was accepted. While I am originally from the Eastern Cape, I was already studying here in Gauteng. When I read that the course was for artisans, I was very interested because the practical training was exactly what I wanted. I started in 2014 and did a two-year course,” he says.

Believing that he benefitted from his two years at F’SASEC, Dubula, who had little practical experience, can now wire a full house on his own.

“We were taught to be punctual and neat. I clean up after myself still, to this day, and the workshop has remained a very tidy space. I currently work in the wiring and electrical workshops where I teach domestic and industrial installation,” Dubula says.

A bright student who did well with her studies, Monyai enjoys the challenges of her new job as a lecturer at F’SASEC.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for Prof Sebastiani. Not only did he help me learn some valuable life skills but, at one point, I felt the course was getting too much for me, and I was getting ready to give up. When I went to talk to him, he reminded me about my background, family and my future and that is why I’m still here. He made me look at what I was gaining and encouraged me to carry on,” she says. Monyai, who is continuing with her studies in Electrical Engineering and hopes to do a teaching course in future, has also benefitted from her training in domestic and industrial wiring, additional training with Schneider Electric and entrepreneurship.

“When I was in high school I didn’t do Maths and Science, so the course was challenging for me, but there was a lot of extra material to help. I was able to excel regardless of this challenge. We also have access to the internet and lecturers are always here for students. There are opportunities for one-on-one time with lecturers if you are struggling. We have also provided students with iPads, where they can scan QR codes in the lab to access extra material and practical tutorials.”