The Valve and Actuator Manufacturers Cluster of South Africa’s (Vamcosa’s) Fumana Project aimed at guiding high school learners towards careers in valves is gaining momentum, with the next campaign planned for the fourth term of the current school year.
The initiative is named after the Fumana Secondary School in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, where the Discover your Career in Valves initiative was launched in September last year in association with schools-based education programme Discover, Develop, Deploy (D3).
More recently, Vamcosa and D3 spent the morning of June 23 at the Fumana school to share information with Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners. The information and guidance sessions included information on the top five career paths required by Vamcosa, namely fitter and turner; tool, jig and die maker; patternmaker; boiler maker and technical sales staff.
The guidance sessions also include information on where to study and ideas on doing research for careers, setting goals and the importance of having a bank account.
“It was clear from the feedback of the learners that the sessions were well received and that they are all interested to have similar engagements on a regular basis,” says D3 MD Lara Slogrove.
She adds that each learner has taken away information which will mould them in their future career choices, and that the learners also indicated what other areas they need guidance and information on.
She says matric learners at the school now realise possibilities of applying for bursaries and wish to have more information on this subject. While the Grade 10 and 11 learners realise the possibilities of many different careers, they are excited to do research to find out more.
Slogrove says further engagement with the learners in the fourth term will be used to follow up on their research progress and provide more useful tips and information.