Over 40 previously disadvantaged students from villages, townships and small towns in the North West are hoping to take to the skies.
They have been granted an opportunity to further their technical and aviation skills at a technical college in Gauteng. The youngsters will be sent off to receive training in aviation and technical skills in the big city. They will qualify as artisans in aircraft maintenance, welding, fitting and turning and electrical engineering.
Dipuo Diphoko is excited about the opportunity which will allow her to break into the male dominated sector.
“Studying with Denel is going to give me a lot of opportunities because a lot of women are not involved in fitting and turning. So I am very proud, I will be able to work with bigger companies and I can even start my own company.”
The youth will venture into fields with scarce skills. Most of which are not available in the province.
“There aren’t any places to get practical training and without practical training you can’t get any job. I am very happy because Denel is going to offer me the experience I need to apply my diploma ,” said one trainee.
“It came at the right time because I was going to venture into my third year in mechanical engineering and I wanted to be employed in Denel for my work, so it came at the right time because I will be doing what I have always wanted to do,” added another one.
With the Mahikeng Airport now fully operational, the next prospect if for the establishment of a technical academy to boost the aviation sector in the province.
“It also means that as we develop our airports like the Pilanesberg Airport, the Mahikeng Airport which is now going to become Dik Montshiwa Airport. We will have people who will contribute in terms of management, in terms of flying aeroplanes, in terms of repairing aeroplanes and in terms of servicing aeroplanes,” said Premier Supra Mahumapelo.
Upon finishing their theoretical training, students will complete their practical training at the Mahikeng Airport.
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