Become a qualified pothole fixer

With the crumbling, pothole-riddled state of roads across much of South Africa, crater dodging has become a national pastime.

But one company has seen the positive in the situation, and endeavours to turn this countrywide irritation and safety hazard into income-generating jobs for the unemployed.

This after the recent launch of the Discovery Pothole Patrol Academy.

The academy was set in motion earlier this month and South Africans now have the opportunity to become officially qualified in fixing potholes.

According to Discovery, they ran a successful pilot last year, which included 18 learners and the accreditation of the Discovery Pothole Patrol Academy by the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA).

It offers a 12-month practical skills training programme offering an NQF Level 3 qualification.
The insurer said participants will obtain a National Certificate in Roadworks Construction upon completion.

“We want to sustainably uplift the academy’s learners so once they complete the 12-month programme, they know how to repair potholes and what to do in a road construction environment, and are equipped to start their own business,” said Discovery.

Since the Pothole Patrol Academy’s launch, the initiative has fixed over 200 000 potholes on major Johannesburg roads.

The initiative initially sought to repair 1 000 potholes a week, but this target has been exceeded by 25%.

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