Refinery’s skills programme to guide pupils to career paths

The annual intake is for programmes like the talent pipeline, bursaries for engineering studies, learnerships at Sapref’s accredited training college, internships and in-service training.

Adam Narain and Arquille Marnitz from Bluff Christian Academy, Cherize Marnitz and Kathryn Kupanandam from Grosvenor Girls High School, Leah Davids and Sthuthukile Mkhize from Umbilo Secondary School, Kirnisha Reddy from PR Pather Secondary School, Sihle Goba from Durban Academy, Kayleen Manival from Ganges Secondary School and Priyanka Pillay from Merebank Secondary School were 10 of 130 youngsters accepted into various programmes in Durban.

They were in a group of 17 grade 10 pupils accepted into the Sapref school talent pipeline programme, which aims to introduce grade 10, 11 and 12 pupils to Sapref and to career possibilities in oil refining. Each was awarded R5,000 towards their school fees, a Sapref mentor to guide them through the last three years of school and life skills training.

“Through this integrated programme, Sapref aims to play its part in addressing the shortage of technical and engineering skills in the country while addressing our own business need for highly skilled professionals. The skills programme is part of a broader social responsibility programme through which we aim to make a meaningful contribution to neighbouring communities, to our industry and to the country,” said Lindiwe Khuzwayo, Sapref human resources manager.

Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr BE Nzimande added: “It is a concrete commitment by one of the major economic players of our country, planting the seeds that will ensure South Africa’s economic growth. Shortage of skills, particularly technical and vocational skills, continues to be one of the major constraints to economic growth and to the transformation of the South African economy.”

– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za