MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Embodying the Youth Month theme for 2018 of “Live the Legacy Towards a Socio-economically Empowered Youth”, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) at the Port of Mossel Bay is running a special two-year marine training programme to upskill local youth.
The young adults are receiving training as either deck trainees working towards becoming skippers, or engine trainees pursuing a Motorman Grade 2 qualification.
The programme is being facilitated by the port marine department under the stewardship of marine operations manager, Captain Dave Keller.
The majority of the group are from the Mossel Bay satellite centre of Sea Safety Training Group (Pty) Ltd, or SSTG, which is a SAMSA-accredited training organisation offering approved maritime training courses recognised by the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
Keller said: “Thus far, nine candidates are being trained by the skippers, engineers and crew in the Port of Mossel Bay according to their training and succession plans. This will create a marine pool of skills for them to pursue careers in the deck and engineering fields of the maritime industry.”
The six engine trainees are Akona Nobomvu, Chriscendo Smith, Herswin Swartz, Lucien Coetzee, Bulelani Yawa and Esethu Myali, while the three deck trainees are Mornich Simon, Marco Moolman and Chante Miller.
They have been exposed to quayside berthing operations, operational equipment on vessels including the main engine and auxiliary equipment, operations at the slipway, Single Point Mooring (SPM) and the Cardinal Bouy Mooring (CBM) offshore terminals, as well as marine tools and general craft maintenance.
The candidates have also become involved in the port’s safety programmes by conducting job observations and observing good safety practices within the port.
Trainee Mornich Simon, 26, said: “The training gives me on the job exposure in the career that I am currently pursuing. I find the training provided by TNPA to be extremely professional and relevant to my career as a skipper. I also get exposure to other departments in the port environment and how they work.”
Lucien Coetzee, 28, said: “Port operation engineering allows me to develop an understanding of almost all operational equipment and machinery in the port. I get a better understanding of all the different tools to use and how to use them.
"I am taught how to work safely and the best practices to follow for me and my colleagues at the Port of Mossel Bay, which is one of the safest ports in the country.”
“Acquiring such skills will ensure that these young people can participate meaningfully in the economic development of the country,” said Mossel Bay Port Manager, Shadrack Tshikalange.
As an agency of the state TNPA has a responsibility to provide proper skills development programmes, develop technical skills, train artisans and develop engineers to ensure the sustainability of its ports and to stimulate growth of the marine economy.
The authority runs several programmes including the Maritime School of Excellence and is introducing training centres at certain ports that will develop skills to support the government’s Operation Phakisa Oceans Economy plans.
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