Johannesburg-based Sparrow Further Education and Training (FET) College, in partnership with fluid power company Pirtek, launched a new mining skills programme called Fluid Power Hose Assemblies on July 11.

“Pirtek saw the need to address the skills shortage in the mining sector as personnel lacked the skills to make up hydraulic hose assemblies, the ability to identify and select the correct fittings for the hoses, the ability to read and interpret basic fluid power engineering drawings, and also the necessary skills needed to maintain safe working procedures within the industry,” noted Sparrow FET College new business manager Melanie Malema at the launch.

She added that Pirtek had provided full bursaries for 16 unemployed young people to enrol in the programme, which would run over a period of six months. For the first three months, students would undergo training on theoretical components at the college and, in the last three months, students would be placed in Pirtek workshops to gain workplace experience and practical training before being certified as competent enough to work in the industry.

“The course will be beneficial to the students as it is shaped around our business and the challenges we experience on a daily basis. As a result, this course will address industry issues and, in turn, it will guarantee that we bring in people who will be problem-solvers of these challenges while providing them with the necessary industry work experience,” Pirtek MD Keiron Goss pointed out at the launch.

Goss indicated that, through this programme, Pirtek hoped that the students would increase their networks and knowledge of the industry and even progress beyond what the programme offered.

Malema highlighted that the course was a registered skills pro- gramme course with the Manu-facturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority and allowed students to qualify at Levels 2 and 3 of the National Qualifications Framework.

“We hope that the launch of this programme attracts more industry insiders like Pirtek to provide expertise, funding and job training in order to expand this programme and ensure that we contribute to government’s efforts to create jobs in the country,” she concluded.