The False Bay TVET College conference centre erupted with cheers as Jody Theunissen shouted, “I made it!” with his arms raised high as he danced forward to collect his certificate upon graduating from the Yacht and Boatbuilding Learnership Pilot Programme.
Speaking later, he said that after five long years of study, he finally has the certificate that proves his competence and unlocks more doors for employment for him and income for his family.
In 2019 the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) along with the National Skills Fund (NSF), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC), False Bay TVET College, SETA, and initiated by various industry stakeholders and the South African Boat Builders Export Council (SABBEX) launched the first pilot project of the Yacht and Boatbuilding Learnership Programme.
Initially, this programme was a three-year project extended to five years due to COVID-19, provided work-integrated learning for 30 learners from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve a National Certificate in Yacht and Boatbuilding, but most importantly – to find employment to build a better country.
Thirty learners were identified from three provinces, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, and Western Cape, for funding and enrolment into the course. Of those thirty learners who began in 2019, close to 80% of the learners completed the course and have found employment. Industry partners, such and Robertson & Caine, provided learners with work-integrated learning opportunities also with the prospect of fulltime employment on completion. Robertson & Caine are currently employing 7 graduates in roles that range from carpentry all the way to SOP training.
Standing in front of 23 graduates and their families at the certification ceremony, SAIMI CEO, Mr Odwa Mtati, said that this moment in time marks the happy occasion that began with listening to a call years ago that said the systems in South Africa produce skills that are not in demand.
“Our effort, as with all the stakeholders, was to ensure that we build a system that produces skills that enable people to gain employment, and this is our continued commitment,” Mtati went on to say. “Yacht and boatbuilding is a critical area of the marine manufacture subsector. It is the backbone of it, and therefore, when we are able to produce the skills required, we are doing much for the economy of our country.”
Mtati reaffirmed that the efforts of SAIMI, government institutions, and industry stakeholders remain committed to employment and strengthening the South African economy.
“As part of our efforts to support public institutions, such as False Bay TVET College, we are also looking toward industry.” Mtati continued, “We, as SAIMI, walk alongside them to ensure the end state is achieved. And what is that end state? The employment of young people in the country. We are not bound by any other aspect apart from the pursuit of employment for young people to deal with the challenges of poverty, unemployment, and hunger in the country. It is not complicated at all.”
Turning his attention to the students, Mtati said, “We celebrate you here today because you stayed on the path despite the challenges you have faced. You have gone on to achieve what you have needed to achieve, and we hope that you will become people who will provide better for their children and for the needs of this country.”
Moegamat Zayne Issacs, the training officer at Robertson & Caine has seen the benefit to both the students and the industry through a programme such as this. He noted “The biggest benefit to our industry right now is employment. Through this programme, we can confidently say that there will be at least 20 or 30 students coming out with the skills we need. We are currently employing seven of the graduates full-time with our company.”
Speaking on SAIMI’s role in the programme and the benefits, False Bay College Acting Principal Christina Nel said, “This project has benefited young people who would not have had this opportunity. SAIMI’s support of this project was very critical. They provided support in ensuring there were partnerships in the industry to ensure a take-up from the industry and a monitoring role to ensure the programme was run successfully.”
Mr Mtati thanked False Bay TVET College and urged them to continue to strengthen their resolve around this particular programme because it provides the critical support for marine manufacturing and the youth.
One of the graduates, Luvo Pono from the Eastern Cape, couldn’t keep his gratitude at bay. He beamed, “I would like to thank all the stakeholders because they opened a lot of doors for me. They made it possible for me to be in this boat-building industry, and I love it.”
An emotional Nolubablo Tania Mayolo, who also saw the funding help her family during the COVID-19 pandemic, shared his sentiments as she held back tears, “I made it because of them (SAIMI, False Bay TVET College, and all the stakeholders), I am so grateful because I now have a story to tell. They not only made me dream, but they made my dream come true.”
Jody Theunissen, still reeling from excitement, added, “Like Mandela says, ‘education is the most powerful tool,’ I have that now, and I can expand my horizons.
Closing off the day’s event Mr Mtati thanked encouraged the graduates and stakeholders by saying “It is not anyone else that will resolve this country’s challenges apart from those of us here in this room. There have been many different role players involved; the college producing skilled learners, the industry creating the employment opportunities, and the government creating the environment that allows people to succeed.
Word and Photos: Matthew Jordaan
This article was commissioned by the South African International Maritime Institute
