Tjeka prepares youth NEET for careers in building

Tjeka will have equipped many young adults not in employment, education and training from poor communities located in the Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality with various building trades skills by the time the Vuna Group’s Vaalbult Colliery in Carolina, Mpumalanga, ceases operating.

Since 2014, Vaalbult Colliery has created many jobs for communities located within its operational footprint. They are directly employed by the contractors that VC Mining has engaged to mine the coal deposit for export markets as the holder of the Mineral Rights.

Considering that the colliery only has a few more years left, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy advised company management to refocus its human resource development initiatives from transferring mining-based skills in communities to teaching sought-after proficiencies in other industries.

The company selected the full gambit of building skills as there is a dire shortage of skilled workers in the industry who can work alongside competent and qualified artisans on building sites. Furthermore, the most enterprising community members will be able to sell their building services directly to customers, growing vibrant businesses overtime.

To broaden the socio-economic impact of the training, community centres that require maintenance, repairs and upgrades were incorporated into the programme. These provide a fertile training ground for learners and an excellent opportunity to practice their newfound skills while working alongside Tjeka’ s facilitators.

For example, a large area of a school playground was paved as part of the practical component of paving portable skills training and a church that also provides early-childhood development services to about 30 children replumbed. Working alongside their plumbing skills training facilitator, learners installed new toilets, piping and replaced an old coal-burning geyser with an energy efficient electric geyser. This will also help to reduce air pollution in the community. Furthermore, a church rectory was retiled and a new mothers’ room at another church painted.

Since the programme was launched last year, about 90 youth NEETS have already learnt various building skills and now hold a Tjeka certificate. Some have been successful in starting their own small construction businesses or securing employment. Many more will be able to sub-contract to principal contractors involved in public sector projects. A case in point is municipal upgrades within Carolina where some of our students have already been able to secure employment.