GRDM's Skills Mecca Sparks New Career Paths with Occupational Electrician Programme

The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM), an active socio-economic catalyst supported by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), continues to pave the way for substantial career development and skill acquisition within the local community. On August 16, 2024, a new set of aspirant electricians were inducted into the fully funded, three-year Occupational Electrician Programme—a testament to the GRSM's ongoing efforts to foster employability and self-reliance amongst both the unemployed and the currently employed looking to upscale their expertise.

Under the collaborative sponsorship of the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA), this initiative represents a significant monetary commitment, with an investment of R55,000 per enrollee, culminating in a robust and comprehensive course designed to address the skills gap in the region comprehensively.

The induction ceremony, hosted at the forward-thinking educational institution Africa Skills George Tech, served as a platform for the expression of the institution's mission to be at the forefront of artisan training in South Africa. With a candid mix of encouragement and realism, Willie Matthiae, the institution's Chief Operational Officer, detailed the program's rigorous nature and the potential it holds for each participant's future career paths.

Meanwhile, Trix Holtzhausen, GRDM's Executive Manager for Corporate Services, imparted an inspiring message to the inductees, stressing the unique nature of the opportunity before them and the imperative to embrace it with diligence and enthusiasm. Holtzhausen's message was echoed and expanded upon by Michelle Smith, GRDM's Human Resources Manager, who underscored the omnipresence and necessity of electricity in modern life and the exciting advancements within the field.

Smith stressed the transformative influence that skilled electricians can bring to their communities and the region at large, both by meeting growing societal needs and by participating in the ongoing innovation that technology advancement necessitates.

As part of the closing remarks, Smith extended her gratitude towards all partners in the project, emphasizing the collaborative effort's role in making such life-changing educational opportunities available. She concluded on a high note by urging the learners to maximally embrace the opportunity—a sentiment that resonates with the overall mission of the GRSM to empower individuals and, by extension, uplift communities through skills development.