175 youngsters, celebrated the various skills development opportunities they had been selected for at the SAPREF annual Skills Development breakfast held on 20th of February at the Durban International Convention Centre.

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At the function, Programme Director, Amanda Logan, welcomed the young people as the newest members of the SAPREF family, telling them that SAPREF had received over 21000 applications when the 2018 Skills Development opportunities were advertised last year. She reminded them “that it takes a village to raise a child and that you are now part of this village where you would be supported in your development.”

 

Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Mr C. Peters, told the young people that they have entered into a contract with SAPREF, and with that contract came rights and responsibilities. “You have the right to receive a stipend and high quality training. You have the responsibility to work hard,” he entreated.

 

Maintenance Competence Development Lead, Albert Mabaso, who is also a member of the SAPREF Leadership team, shared that in 1981 he too was in the same position that these young people were in, saying: “The sky is the limit. Go out there and be the best that you can be. You have a whole village behind you.”

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Also part of this supportive ‘village’ were members of the SAPREF Community Liaison Forum and the SAPREF Resource Centres. These skills development opportunities were shared with the community and many community members used the facilities at the Resource Centres to complete and submit their CVs. “It was gratifying and humbling listening to the accounts of how these opportunities will change our communities. We were thrilled when many young people we had helped returned to say that they were successful,” shared Nokwazi Sikhakhane from the CLF.

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For Managing Director, Ton Wielers, this multimillion rand investment was a testament to SAPREF’s vision to ‘Grow our People’. “We are handing over to you the future of this 53 year old refinery to see another 50 years. The company, your families, your communities and the country needs your technical skills to continue on a growth trajectory into the future,” he told the learners.

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