Pre-Apprentice On The Job Training Placement a Resounding Success

On the 13th September a Reverse Job Fair was held at the Ekurhuleni FET college.

Ten companies made presentations to the 41 students. The companies shared their Mission, Vision, Values, Working Methods and product ranges with the students.

After this presentation the students had the opportunity to have interviews with the companies management. The students were prepared for the interviews as they had done extensive resaerch on the companies using the internet and other sources. They all had a good idea of what each company was doing.

Mr Bevan Davis, Chairman of the TOOLMAKING

ASSOCIATION     of      SA - GAUTENG  (TASA)

giving the  opening  address at the TASA / NTIP

ReverseJob Fair.

The 41 students eventually were offered 51 positions - this oversupply of opportunities is rather unique for persons who have no work experience. Both the employers and the students were extremely happy with the outcome and all the parties are satisfied with the outcome.

The NTIP Project Management, teaching and support staff expressed their thanks to the companies that are participating. Reports from the other provinces indicates the same placement successes have been achieved. All the South African students are now in OTJ positions untill the end of the year.

Monday 20th September was the first working day for the students. It can be reported with pride that all the student arrived at work on time properly kitted with safety gear .

TASA - GAUTENG will keep you posted on the progress with this program.



Chris de Wet from BOHLER interviewing a Pre-Apprence
Toolmaking student at the Reverse Job Fair.



Johann Groenewald, GTI Board Member, Carlos Barbosa NTIP Project manager and pre-apprentice Toolmakers listening to the opening address of  Mr Bevan Davis at the Reverse Job Fair at the Ekhuruleni FET College.





TASA First Job Fair for Toolmaking Apprentices

From Left: Johan Davies; Ron MacLarty;
Leonard Makgamathe; Firoz Cachalia (MEC)

After successfully participating in the Afrimold Conference and Exhibition as a member organisation, TASA is following up this success with a first Reverse Job Fair to be held on be 13th September 2010 at the Kwathema campus in Ekurhuleni.

At the show TASA was extremely encouraged by the visit of the MEC for Economic Development of Gauteng, Mr Firoz Cachalia to the Afrimold exhibition and specifically to the TASA stands. The Gauteng Provincial Administration supports the Gauteng Tooling Initiative, a not for profit company, to revitalise the tool Die and Mould Making Industry in the Province.

The public-private partnership between the TASA is initiative known as the NTIP (National Tooling Initiative Program), the DTI, the Gauteng Provincial Administration and the Gauteng Tooling Initiative has resulted in a successful Toolmaking Apprenticeship Programme being run for the last nine months at the Kwathema and Soweto FET campuses. This PPP Involves Local and National Government, the learning institutions, local industry to create meaningful long-term value adding jobs in the manufacturing industry.

The result of these efforts will culminate in a Reverse Job Fair in which 13 companies from industry will offer the 40 students on the job training opportunities for the next three months. Each toolmaking apprentices candidate is assured of a learnership position in industry. At the job fair each learner will meet with five companies and the companies will each meet with 16 candidates. In this way the candidates can choose what companies as they wish to work for and the companies can meet with the candidates. This ensures the best fit between the company and the candidate.

The participants wish to thank the MEC and the other role players, specifically the industry companies that is participating in this successful venture.

The participating companies are CBI Electric; MA Automotive; Flextech; Conver-Tek; Hayes Lemmerz; Bohler Uddeholm Africa; Zealous Group of Companies; Mechanical Technologies; MLI Tool & Die; Aquajet Profiles; Vijking Foundaries; Fineblanking; NAMPAK.

 

Posted by Henk Snyman