CEAJAY Bosman, a second year automotive motor mechanic apprentice from the Port Elizabeth TVET College, proudly represented South Africa at the WorldSkills Africa in Namibia recently.

Apprentices from nine countries battled it out in 16 skills categories from March 28 to April 2, 2022.

TVET Authority director general and CEO of WorldSkills Kenya, Dr Kipkirui Lang’at, said that the competition’s main goal was to achieve personal development, allowing individuals gainful employment, socioeconomic development of a country and improving a skilled workforce that leads to a cohesive society.

“The event is aimed at showcasing competence acquisition.

“It is based on industry occupational standards and brings the youth together to test and confirm their ability,” said Lang’at.

The partnership, between Handwerkskammer (HWK) Erfurt Germany and eight of the TVET colleges in the Eastern Cape region, has made incredible inroads over the last 12 months in uplifting teachers’ training skills with the support of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), a much valued partner in the venture.

“Access to international trends, through the German Craft Chamber, is invaluable for apprentices, particularly in an environment where skills are valued and provide businesses with a competitive advantage. The more teachers we can train the more apprentices we can help pull through the system and this bodes well for the future of our sector,” said RMI’s training manager, Louis van Huyssteen.

Pretorius said the automotive motor mechanic trade is one of 13 trades of the national Department of Higher Education (DHET) Centre of Specialisation programme.

Third-year apprentice, Ernst Beneke, will also compete in the South African National competition In September for inclusion in Team SA for the 46th WorldSkills competition taking place in Shanghai in October this year.