BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISANS: 30 YOUNGSTERS EMBARK ON LIFE-CHANGING APPRENTICESHIP JOURNEY

"These young apprentices are not only building careers for themselves; they are helping to build the future skills base of our province and country." – Dr. Steven Jonkers, Head of Department

The Department of Roads and Public Works has taken a significant step towards addressing youth unemployment and skills development in the Northern Cape through the implementation of the Phakamile Mabija Apprenticeship Programme.

Through this award-winning initiative, the Department will train and develop 30 apprentices (18 female) from across the province over the next 36 months, equipping them with the technical expertise and workplace experience required to become qualified artisans in scarce and critical trades.

The programme forms part of the Department's broader commitment to empowering young people with sustainable skills that will enhance their employability and contribute to economic growth in the province.

The selected apprentices will receive training in four specialised trades:

Refrigeration – 10 apprentices (4 female, 6 male)

Welding – 10 apprentices (4 female, 6 male)

Fitter and Turner – 5 apprentices (all female)

Boilermaking – 5 apprentices (all male)

Strong Interest from Northern Cape Youth

The call for applications generated an overwhelming response from young people eager to seize the opportunity to develop valuable technical skills.

The successful candidates have already commenced their training journey and are actively engaged in classroom learning, practical workshop sessions and assessments designed to prepare them for the demands of their chosen trades.

A Structured Pathway to Qualification

As the host employer, the Department of Roads and Public Works is responsible for providing occupational health and safety-compliant workplace training environments and monitoring the apprentices' experiential learning throughout the programme.

The apprenticeship will be implemented through a structured five-phase approach:

Phase 1 (Months 1–3): Site establishment, learner mobilisation and tool block issuance.

Phase 2 (Months 4–12): Institutional theory training and core workplace exposure.

Phase 3 (Months 13–24): Intensive workplace learning and trade-specific mentorship.

Phase 4 (Months 25–33): Trade test preparation and final assessments through accredited NAMB and QCTO centres.

Phase 5 (Months 34–36): Certification and programme close-out.

Upon successful completion, participants will emerge as qualified artisans, equipped with nationally recognised qualifications and practical experience that will enable them to contribute meaningfully to the economy.

Welcoming the apprentices to the programme, Head of Department, Dr. Steven Jonkers expressed confidence in the potential of the new intake.

"We are proud to invest in the future of these young men and women. Through the Phakamile Mabija Apprenticeship Programme, we are creating opportunities for meaningful skills development while addressing the critical shortage of artisans in our province. We wish our apprentices every success as they begin this exciting and transformative journey."

The Department looks forward to supporting the apprentices throughout their training and celebrating their achievements as they progress towards becoming the next generation of skilled artisans in the Northern Cape.

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