Eastcape Midlands TVET College is moving forward in their Diesel Mechanics programme. This is being achieved with the support of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. Students of this programme, studying at the Brickfields Road Campus in Uitenhage, have been awarded the opportunity to work on two brand-new Ford Ranger 2.2 diesel bakkies, donated by Ford.
Three years ago, the College received their first donation from Ford, in the form of a left-hand drive single cab bakkie. However, the latest donation could not have come at a better time. The College is currently establishing their motor mechanics workshop as a diesel training centre.
This training centre is directly linked to ‘Operation Phakisa’, a government initiative which aims to boost economic growth and job opportunities in South Africa. ‘Operation Phakisa’ was launched in 2014 by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. The programme aids in the implementation of the National Development Plan. It aims to increase job opportunities and thereby improve the performance of the economy.
The specific focused environment requires diesel mechanics. “Although the bakkies are roadworthy, the College is not permitted to use or register them on our public roads. Their sole purpose is for the training of our apprentices,” said Mr Klasie Claassen, Registrar: Institutional Development, who secured the donation.
As newer vehicles use software-driven mechanical technology in order to operate, the Diesel Mechanics students will enjoy working on the latest top-of-the-range technology that the Ford bakkies offer. This provides a better opportunity for the Diesel Mechanics students to do exactly as Ford’s slogan states, namely, Go Further.
Caption: Eastcape Midlands TVET College Principal, Mr van Heerden views two of the Ford bakkies donated for training purposes
Source TVET College Times
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