Umfolozi TVET College: Grooming future engineers

Umfolozi TVET College Work Based Experience (WBE) Officer and the Tongaat Hulett, (the huge sugar producer) delegation recently held an interactive session with College students who were placed at the Felixton Mill.

Each student was invited to the boardroom to speak of what they had learnt since their arrival last October and the challenges they had faced. System Ndlovu, who studied engineering and related design, said he was privileged to be placed in the hydraulics department at the mill where he was thrilled to put his skills to practice.“This is when one truly realises that it is advantageous to study at a TVET College. When you get to the workplace, you arrive with practical knowledge of what is expected of you,” said Ndlovu.

Sifiso Sibiya who studied electrical engineering said he enjoyed being involved in every stage of the engineering process. He particularly enjoys drawing. He went on to say, “I’ve realised that it can be a bit difficult, but I can do it. I always feel like an integral part of the drawing and happy that I can do it independently.”

Cebolenkosi Phakathi said he was happy to be learning more than just engineering, but also about human relations. “While receiving an opportunity to spend 12 months at Tongaat Hulett, I have also learnt to work with different kinds of people and to understand that people are not all the same. Tongaat Hulett is the best place for us to kick-start our careers. I enjoy that our colleagues do not regard us as students. We are all given the same standard of tasks which challenge us to learn as much as we can.”

WBE officer, Zama Mngoma, said that it is rewarding to see uMfolozi students learning and growing in their field of expertise. She thanked Tongaat Hulett for their great partnership to give students the exposure they need. “We look forward to seeing them take on other ventures. In doing so, it will not only secure a bright future for them, but will also continue to fly the College flag on high”, she said.

Source: TVET College Times