CHIETA, the chemical industries Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) hosted the WorldSkills South Africa (WSZA) National Competition for the Electrical Installation Skill from 16-18 August 2022 at Ekurhuleni East TVET College. This was an offsite competition that makes part of WSZA National Competition which took place in KwaZulu Natal in June this year.
The competition featured ten youngsters who pitted their Electrical Installation skills against each other for the top prize of a trip to Austria to participate at the WorldSkills International Competition later this year.
The 10 competitors are graduates and students from TVET colleges around the country. They are:
- Phiwayinkosi Ntshangase, age 23
- Mogosi Thabo, 21
- Ebrahim Zuhayr , 22
- Nyamagele Zwilinzima, 21
- Mthokozisi Mabona, 23
- Ngaphi Avuye, 21
- Msibi Tlhopiso, 22
- Riba Sello, 22
- Byron Matthews, 21
- Angelo Snyders, 22
According to WorldSkills, electricians can expect to work in any location where there is electricity, from homes all the way through to massive electrical installations in offices, factories, and other large-scale plants. They need to be proficient in planning and designing, selecting and installing, commissioning, testing, reporting, maintaining, fault-finding, and repairing systems to a very high work and safety standard.
Additional skills that electricians need include organisational, self-management, communication, interpersonal, flexibility, and problem-solving. The three-day competition tested the competitors’ skills in a range of tasks that reflect the skills needed and were set at WorldSkills International Competition level.
World Skills promotes skilled careers in 72 member countries and regions, all working with youth, educators, governments, and industries, to prepare youth for jobs of the future. It is designed to give them the opportunity to compete, experience, and learn how to become the best in their chosen skill.
CHIETA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Yershen Pillay said CHIETA has been taking part in the WorldSkills Competition for several years. “We’re proud that South Africa can participate in WorldSkills International events on an equal footing with our global counterparts, which emphasises the high standards of artisanal training delivered by our TVET colleges in South Africa.”
“This competition is also closely aligned to our mandate to develop chemical and engineering skills, and to the Department of Higher Education and Training’s ‘Decade of the Artisan’. Artisan development is a top priority in South Africa as we face both high unemployment and a dire shortage of skilled artisans. The prestige of the WorldSkills Competition encourages young people to recognise the value of artisanship as a career of choice that addresses skills shortages and delivers potential for a successful career or entrepreneurial venture”, said the CEO.
CHIETA’s ongoing participation in the WorldSkills competition over the years has included funding for the competition, as well as support for the participants to ensure they have a good chance of winning, and to showcase their skills through the stages of the competition.
Mr Pillay said the young people who are selected to compete in World Skills competitions in South Africa are always at a world-class standard, and their selection inspires them to advance their careers, while also inspiring other youngsters to embrace the opportunities they get given. “It is our privilege as a SETA to play a role in enabling our youth to test their skills and knowledge against each other, and we wish every South African competition participant the best for the competition and their future careers. We look forward to seeing them succeed wherever their chosen careers take them,” he concluded.