Damen Shipyards Cape Town receives award for pioneering Occupation Qualification apprenticesDamen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) has been honoured to receive an award from the higher education and training establishment Northlink College. The award is a certificate of appreciation recognising DSCT’s role in committing to train some of the first ‘occupation qualification’ apprentices under what was then a new programme launched by the DHET (Department of Higher Education & Training) in January 2019.Northlink commended DSCT for taking part in this programme from the beginning, when its future was still uncertain and its success yet to be demonstrated. DSCT was one of the first companies in South Africa to embrace this new apprenticeship scheme, the COS programme (Centres of Specialisation), at a time when it was still an unproven concept. Only recently has it become mainstream. Working in partnership with Northlink College, the first Damen apprentices successfully qualified in the COS Fitting & Turning programme, the first of its kind in South Africa. Each participant takes part in a three-to-four-year programme that ensures that, on completion, they are competent in their trade. 50% of their time is spent in the college and 50% in the workplace on a rotational basis. 36 individuals are currently in the programme, across eight trades. As well as fitting & turning, trades available include pipe fitting, welding, boiler making, plumbing, electrical, rigging and mechanical fitting. Over 90% of the trainees choose to accept full time jobs at DSCT once they have completed their courses.The college teaches the theoretical side of the roles and basic training in the underlying skills,” explains Abdullah Galant, Technical Training Officer at DSCT, “while DSCT provides the real-world exposure to applying those skills in the workplace as well as basic training in safety, firefighting and other essential procedures. New skills like carpentry are likely to be added over time. We now work with four colleges in total and many of the trainers are former employees of DSCT.”With the COS programme now being accessed by companies all over South Africa, DSCT looks forward to training many more apprentices in occupation qualifications in partnership with Northlink College Cape Town and other centres of learning.Damen Shipyards Group - Oceans of PossibilitiesDamen Shipyards Group has been in operation for over ninety years and offers maritime solutions worldwide, through design, construction, conversion and repair of ships and ship components. By integrating systems we create innovative, high quality platforms, which provide our customers with maximum added value.Our core values are fellowship, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and stewardship. Our goal is to become the world’s most sustainable shipbuilder, via digitalisation, standardisation and serial construction of our vessels. Damen operates 35 shipyards and 20 other companies in 20 countries, supported by a worldwide sales and service network. Damen Shipyards Group offers direct employment to more than 12,000 people. DSCT Training Centre In response to the skills gap identified within the South African maritime industry in 2010, DSCT launched a Training Centre for apprentices to be trained on building vessels to Damen standards, for Damen. The Training Centre has served as platform for DSCT to create employment opportunities for South Africans and has played a significant role in transforming what was traditionally considered a male-dominated industry.Since its launch, the Training Centre has produced 127 qualified artisans through apprenticeships, work placements and ARPL (Artisans Recognition of Prior Learning) programs, with 24 of these artisans being female. Currently, the Training Centre accommodates 36 apprentices and offers trades in Boilermaking, Welding, Mechanical Fitting, Electrical, Fitting and Turning, Plumbing and Rigging. Work placement at DSCT is offered to students from FET colleges who require hands-on experience in order to receive their qualifications. A great deal of thanks is owed to the various SETAs and FET colleges who have served as reliable sources for apprentices. Damen Shipyards Cape TownDamen Shipyards Cape Town (known as DSCT) builds ships in Africa for Africa and has to date constructed and delivered over 40 vessels for various countries on the African continent. These vessels have included offshore patrol vessels, dredgers, tugs, naval craft and supply vessels.The Level 1 BEE rated company strives to be an employer of choice in the South African shipbuilding sector and is committed to furthering the future of the local South African Maritime Blue Oceans Economy by expanding employment opportunities within it through the provision of internships, apprenticeships, learnerships and training.DSCT endeavors to build vessels that use local materials and services and, where necessary, assists in the development of local suppliers and service providers to ensure that they meet the standards required for world class quality vessels. Through these efforts, DSCT actively participates in contributing towards local maritime entrepreneurship and job creation.DSCT forms part of the global marine solutions network Damen Shipyards Group.
WORLD SHIPPING
18 August 2022 - 11:19
Update: 18 August 2022 - 11:19
Damen Shipyards Cape Town receives award for pioneering Occupation Qualification apprentices
Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) has been honoured to receive an award from the higher education and training establishment Northlink College.
WORLD SHIPPING
18 August 2022 - 11:19
Update: 18 August 2022 - 11:19
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