Shipbuilding training programme targets unemployed graduates

Partnering to provide six-week training programme

SOUTH AFRICA: Building on the EThekwini Maritime Cluster’s (EMC) previous training programme, the Cluster partnered with Sandock Austral Shipyards (SAS) to launch a six-week training initiative for 10 boatbuilding beneficiaries in Durban this month.

Providing graduates with practical skills in the boatbuilding trade, with a specific focus on steel shipbuilding, training program covers key elements, including health and safety, safe work instructions, shipbuilding theory, and component identifications, arch wielding, and gas cutting.

Ayanda Sikobi, EMC Marine and Manufacturing Programme Director, explained the importance of such initiatives in South Africa: “If we do not implement programmes of this nature, many South Africans will be condemned to a lifetime of inactivity, inexperience, and never learn of the good habits acquired by having jobs. Increasing the supply of highly educated workers will alleviate unemployment.”

In addition to the technical skills, the program also includes leadership training, mentoring, and support to transition beneficiaries through unemployment challenges, presenting opportunities to start their own businesses.

Sinqobile Khuluse, Chief People Officer at Sandock Austral Shipyards, emphasised the importance of youth development.

"As SAS we remain committed to driving innovation and continual improvement, the youth of today are the business leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow, in building their capabilities and skills we are securing the future and our legacy together,” she said.

Khuluse said that the programme falls perfectly in line with the company’s vision in ‘Building the African Marine Legacy.’

The beneficiaries come from different backgrounds, including qualified artisans, mechanical fitters, and electrical, mechanical, and civil engineers.

One of the beneficiaries, Zinhle Maphumulo, 34, had been retrenched and unemployed when she was accepted into the program.

“This training is now allowing me to differentiate between theory and the practical aspect. This is also allowing me to use the skills that I obtained in Operations Management. I feel privileged to have been chosen,” she said.

Mpumelelo Simelane, 33, who has been unemployed for more than five years took on odd jobs as a painter to bring in some money at home. He is hoping to use those skills in the programme.

“The training experience at SAS has been awesome thus far. I have been trying to find something that I am passionate about. I am interested in the coatings and corrosion protection of ships. There is a lot of information that we are being given during the training. I want to absorb as much as possible as I want to master shipbuilding and corrosion protection,” he said.

Broad scope of training

EMC’s boatbuilding programme does not only aim to equip beneficiaries with the technical skills of boatbuilding but also to equip them with skills that will enable them to infiltrate other segments of the boatbuilding and ship repairs-related services value chain. As such, some of the beneficiaries will be sent to train to become skippers, a complimentary service within the boatbuilding and ship repair operations.

EMC has also collaborated with Marvela Marine, Global Maritime Youth, and TUT through their Short Learning Programme to provide beneficiaries with internship and work placement opportunities and assist them in attending industry conferences that are of interest to them.

This initiative comes as South Africa struggles with high unemployment rates, with the youth being the most affected. The collaboration between EMC and SAS aims to fight the unemployment rate in South Africa and promote youth development.