EEC is one of only four TVET Colleges in South Africa to be selected to run a Dual System Pilot Project (DSPP) for two trades (Electrical and Plumbing) under the expert guidance of facilitators from the German Association for International Cooperation (GIZ). This Dual System Apprenticeship training model is new to South Africa but has already been applied with great success in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. It is hoped that over a period, it will transform apprenticeship training in this country.

The Dual System is based on the belief that students learn best by having the theoretical knowledge they obtain from a TVET College, reinforced at regular intervals by real-life work experience and training in a structured workplace environment. Over a period of three years students alternate between theory classes at the College and hands-on experience with their Host Employer in block periods of between eight and fourteen weeks. In the workplace students are mentored by a Project Manager, specifically assigned to provide structured training on the focal areas specified in the Training Schedule. 70% of the students’ overall training period is spent with their mentoring host companies. On completing the programme, they sit for the revised A21 Trade Test. All training is based on the QCTO occupational qualification for electricians and plumbers so it is fully accredited.

The electrical DSPP was launched recently at EEC and the first twenty-five students have already been placed with their host companies where they will gain invaluable work-based exposure. The plumbing DSPP is scheduled for early 2017. All facilitators are fully qualified and training also takes place in the College state-of-the-art workshops so that students are familiar with the machinery when they go into the workplace. Apprentices for this pilot project are selected from a pool of NCV Level 3 and Level 4 students currently enrolled at the participating TVET Colleges. The Lead Employer (SACCI) is responsible for the students’ stipends, annual medical assessments and Trade Test fees, as well as providing students with a standard electrician’s or plumber’s toolbox

The Principal of EEC, Ms Happy Sibande, emphasized the significance of the dual aspect of this system. Without the crucial participation of the hosting companies, it would not be possible to offer a vocational artisan programme such as this. It is the preparation for the workplace and offering specifically a quality vocational education which sets a TVET College apart from a school. The College is particularly appreciative of the support offered by all the host companies who assist by taking students for either short periods of work-based learning or up to eighteen and twenty-four month internships. EEC’s partnerships with the relevant companies enabled the College to place all twenty-five students selected for the programme in the workplace

As the Principal of EEC, Ms Happy Sibande, explains: “As an educational institution, an important aspect of our mandate is to instil a sense of community in our students and help them to grow to be caring and responsible citizens.” It is for this reason that EEC has been actively involved over a number of years, in various projects as part of the College Community Awareness Outreach Programme and most recently, it was the chance of the C.H.A.N.C.E Children’s Home in Dunnottar

Driven by the SRC and with the encouragement and support of the College management, the students recently paid the home a visit to deliver clothing which had been donated by the students on all five campuses. In response to an appeal by C.H.A.N.C.E, the College management sponsored a donation of over R20 000 worth of student bags and stationery to assist with the children’s education.

C.H.A.N.C.E caters for children of all ages from new-borns to 18 year olds. The students involved stated that they viewed the experience as an opportunity to give back to the community, in appreciation for the ‘second chances’ which some of them had received. The most joyous part for them was the interaction which they had with the children and the soccer game which was played with the older ones.

As part of another community awareness project EEC NC(V) Level 4 Civil and Engineering students and Electrical Infrastructure Construction students built a two-bedroomed house as their final year practical project, under the guidance of their lecturers. Various furnishings and building materials were either donated by College staff and students or sponsored by businesses in the community. The fully-furnished two-bedroomed home was donated to a child-headed family.

It has also become an established tradition to host a senior citizens’ luncheon for the elderly members of the community, many of whom are the grandparents of students. Served and entertained by members of the College staff, the lively music never fails to lure a number of guests onto the floor where they show that, although they might be getting on in years, they nonetheless have a spring in their step!

Whether it is in facilitating potentially monumental changes in the lives of some people, as with the housing project, or trying to make a difference to someone’s future, as with the learning materials or just brightening someone’s day, as with the senior citizens’ luncheon, the management and Council of EEC continually try to live out the Batho Pele principle which is part of the College vision and instil an awareness of this in the students.

In the past week Ekurhuleni East TVET College has hosted delegates from both Japan and Germany who are interested in forming close working relationships with TVET Colleges in South Africa.

With the only Foundry in Gauteng and the Samsung Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Academy, both located on the Kwa-Thema campus, EEC has been identified as a potential College with which to forge a meaningful business partnership.

EEC was also selected as one of four TVET Colleges in South Africa to run a Dual System Pilot Project (DSPP) for two trades (Electrical and Plumbing) under the guidance of the German Association for International Cooperation (GIZ).This Dual System Apprenticeship training model is new to South Africa but has already been applied with great success in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Under this system students spend up to 70% of their training period in the workplace itself. The theoretical training they receive at the College is continually integrated and reinforced with practical application in the workplace. Students alternate between the College and the workplace in block periods of between eight and fourteen weeks throughout their training period.

It really was good to be a woman on the EEC staff when the College management hosted a Women’s Day celebration to promote team spirit and a sisterhood among all the women who are employed at the College. A total of three hundred and thirty-five women from both the lecturing and support staff attended and a most enjoyable day was had by all.

The College caterers, Imbalenhle Catering, did themselves proud once again with the beautiful way in which they decorated the Kwa-Thema campus hall and with the delicious snacks and three course meal served by their very efficient waitrons in their smart black and white uniforms.

Many agreed that a highlight of the occasion was the entertaining and relevant talk given by well-known Kwa-Thema resident, Dr E Seobi on The Development of a Child and the inspiring words of popular Metro FM Radio announcer Ms Thami Ngubeni who shared her thoughts, in a most motivating way, on Managing Life as a Modern Woman in the 21st Century. She is seen here with Principal, Ms HM Sibande and Springs Campus Manager, Ms T Ndlovu. Ms K Mahlangu spoke on the importance of Physical Wellness in the stressful lives which many women live today.

The College is particularly grateful to Afrisun, RNA, MTN and the Gift of the Givers Foundation who sponsored the event.
Light entertainment was provided by The Serenaders who added the final touch to a most enjoyable occasion. Congratulations are due to the Marketing Department on yet another superbly organized event.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream;

She packed her seven versalia, put her initial into the belt and made herself on the way.

This is a partnership of the Department of Higher Education and Training with the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services (merSETA).The academy aims to provide training to skills development to the youth of the community and also provide new career and entrepreneurial opportunities.All students will qualify for study grants from merSETA and will be trained by facilitators at the Ekurhuleni East TVET College at no cost.

The academy is accredited by merSETA, therefore students will graduate from the course with a recognized qualification. “This is a great addition to our course offerings at the college. “We are pleased to be part of Samsung’s initiative and look forward to seeing the students succeed,” says Helen Sibande, principal at the Ekurhuleni TVET College. The first 20 students have been identified and awarded study grants; this number is expected to rise over the next year.
“At Samsung, part of our strategy is to focus on improving education in line with the mission to improve people’s lives and create a better society,” says Pitso Kekana, Head of Public Affairs and Corporate Citizenship, Samsung Africa. “Our goal is to reach a point where most of our products in Africa are developed on the continent, and the starting point for this is to offer access to the necessary training. “This is why we are excited to be launching the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Academy, which we hope will help develop a very necessary set of skills among the youth,” says Kekana.