TRAINING UNEMPLOYED YOUTH AS RIGGERS THROUGH AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME

As part of a pilot study, the Department enrolled ten unemployed youth in a Rigging Apprenticeship Programme of which three are female and seven male. The duration of the training is three years of which phase one and two focuses on theoretical training, and phase three entails workplace training. During the final phase revision is conducted and apprentices are prepared to write a trade test.  

Since March 2022, six of the Rigging apprentices were placed at Ekapa Minerals for workplace training while four Riggers were placed at Lifting Buddy Construction which has close working relations with Khumba Mine in Kathu.

What is a Rigger?

Riggers through the use of hand signals give instruction to a crane operator to move heavy equipment or material from one site to another. They are required to set up and repair rigging at manufacturing plants, shipyards, logging yards, construction sites, and film sets. They are responsible for aligning and anchoring the machinery, attaching loads, controlling the movement of heavy equipment, and ensuring the rigging is safe for use. Riggers can also be used to assemble temporary structures like scaffolding on construction sites and move and assemble pre–cast facades and panels on buildings under construction. Rigging is known as a much needed and a scarce skill in the Northern Cape Province. 

How is this training programme funded?

The Department was awarded a discretionary grant by the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (MERSETA). Through various partnerships the Department remains committed to develop and train historically disadvantaged youth through its National Youth Services (NYS) Programme.

What is the rationale of this programme?

Through this programme and other youth development initiatives the Department aims to eradicate the triple burden of poverty, inequality and unemployment.  The project is implemented by the National Youth Service (NYS) which sets to develop youth in order to produce responsible citizens who contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the province.