State-owned energy company South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) and the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) are preparing to launch a three-year artisan development programme at the Saldanha Industrial Development Zone, in the Western Cape, with rollout to start once funding is secured.

The funding will allow for “comprehensive training, certification and skills development activities over three years, ensuring that local artisans are equipped with the requisite expertise to enhance operational efficiency, safety and innovation within the national petroleum industry”, says SANPC operations training and development specialist Lubabalo Mdekazi.

For the first intake, 22 artisans will be selected using the eligibility criteria, which include a matric certificate with mathematics and physical science as subjects.

Training will follow a dual delivery model: “West Coast College will be responsible for delivering the theoretical training component and providing progress reports, while practical training will be conducted on site at the Saldanha Terminal,” says Mdekazi.

He adds that the integrated approach ensures the delivery of a comprehensive, hands-on experience aligned with industry standards.

The programme is supported by several collaborations delivering specialised training, certification schemes and skills development courses that are tailored to the requirements of the energy sector. Mdekazi states that “these partnerships are crucial for leveraging resources, expertise and networks, thereby ensuring the success of the programme”.

He adds that the organisation has already implemented the artisan development programme at the SANPC Centre of Excellence in Mossel Bay, and has since expanded the intake to 28 learners, who are serving apprenticeships in trades such as boilermaking, welding, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.

“Recently, the Saldanha Terminal received approval to expand training opportunities to include artisans in these same trades.”

Long-Term Strategy

The SANPC says the pathway to employment will be merit-based.

Mdekazi notes the approach aims to facilitate the transition from training to employment and, should the opportunity arise, the learners will be given the chance to apply for available artisan positions.

The qualified artisans will have a direct role at the Saldanha Terminal, supporting its operation and maintenance, where work will include routine inspection, troubleshooting, and repairing equipment and infrastructure. They will also contribute to preventive maintenance programmes and support upgrade projects.

“Their skillset will enhance the reliability and sustainability of terminal operations, reduce downtime and contribute to the overall safety and efficiency of the facility,” he adds.

As this will be a CHIETA-funded programme, there are specific milestones that must be achieved throughout its duration to ensure successful implementation and progress.

This initiative is positioned as central to the SANPC’s overall strategy for skills development and localisation in the energy sector by fostering the growth of local talent and building technical capacity within the region, says Mdekazi.

“By developing artisans who possess specialised skills relevant to the operations and maintenance of energy infrastructure, the SANPC promotes workforce localisation, reducing dependency on external expertise.”

The company adds that the programme supports economic empowerment, job creation and sustainable development by ensuring that local communities are actively involved in the energy sector’s growth.

The initiative also contributes significantly to the SANPC’s goal of establishing an “agile, competitive, and technically capable” national petroleum company by developing a skilled and resilient workforce.

Such a workforce further ensures that the SANPC can maintain high standards of safety, reliability, and environmental compliance, consequently enhancing its competitiveness, Mdekazi concludes.