The sky is the limit during Career Expo and Air Show
Young minds at the Aviation Career Expo are set to take off on their aviation journey.
Learners from different areas of Nkangala gathered at Witbank High School for the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s annual Career Expo and Air Show.
The purpose of the expo held on Friday, October 20 was to encourage the students to take courses in aviation.
The more than 500 high school learners were offered the opportunity to explore more about aviation and to get first-hand information from some pilots based in the province.
Representing the executive mayor, Clr Faith Msibi delivered her address, encouraging the learners to take up the available courses in aviation.
The learners were also allowed to ask questions from the experts and professionals who offered guidance and their experiences.
Gawie Bester, acting director of civil aviation in his keynote address told the learners that October is transport month (OTM) in the country and the month was set aside in 2005 during the Transport Lekgotla and that he was excited to be part of the OTM career awareness drone display.
He indicated that the aim was to encourage the youth to consider career opportunities within the aviation industry.
“Today’s event is a joint aviation awareness initiative coordinated by the National Department of Transport, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the Mpumalanga Department of Education, Public Works, Roads and Transport and Nkangala District Municipality and the Emalahleni Municipality. We thanked Witbank High School, members of the SGB, the principal, educators, and the learners for having embraced us in their backyard. This annual commemoration has the purpose of raising awareness of the important role of transport in the economy and encouraging participation from civil society and business, including a focus on the provision of a safe more affordable accessible, and reliable transport system in the country. It is also one of the initiatives through which the department and its entities engage directly with stakeholders. Accelerating service delivery and economic development, job creation, which are key to our approach to national transport,” explained Bester.
He told the learners that the quote in the nautical language is so prevalent in aviation language and reminds one of what to do when preparing for the future.
The learners must gather information about their situation, forecast the future, and then adjust their sails as best as they can with the information at hand.
He said they were preparing for the future of aviation, by bringing aviation to the youth of today in the hope that one day they will fly aircraft, maintain them, and safeguard and assist when they use air transport.
He pointed out that the focus was also on drones, a new technology that has taken aviation by storm.
Bester also reminded the learners that they must not only be fascinated by the gadgets they will experience at play, but they must also understand that being a drone instructor is one of the career paths one can venture into in the field of aviation.
He said over 2 000 licensed South African drone pilots are registered in their system and that there are accredited courses that one can venture into where one can learn about manned and unmanned aircraft.
Three of the province pilots related their stories on how they acquired their licenses and encouraged the learners that it can be done if one works hard.
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