Kedibone Serumula, Graduate Mining Engineer
Drilling and blasting contractor Blasting & Excavating (B&E) offers upskilling and certification opportunities for students and current staff.
Owing to the lack of qualified blasters within the industry, B&E initiated a learner blaster programme in which 35 internal employees are being trained to become qualified civil and opencast blasters.
Subsequent to the completion of the programme these employees will have a National Certificate in rock breaking, as well as a civil blasting ticket.
“B&E also has a diesel mechanic training programme, as well as a programme to host two civil engineering, two mining engineering, and two mechanical engineering students to complete their experiential learning with,” states B&E engineering director Deon Rajoo.
He adds that this exposure to the workplace will give the students first-hand, “top-class” work experience and training, enabling them to become experts within their field of study. The company also aims to employ the individuals after a thorough assessment, as and when employment opportunities become available.
A graduate and apprentice programme has also been initiated to address the skills shortage within the industry.