COEGA Development Corporation (CDC) held a graduation for its class of 2018 Clerk of Works Development Programme at their head office recently.
The ceremony marked the end of the 18-month programme for the participants in which they received certificates as proof of participation.
The programme, which was started in 2014 as a brainchild of the CEO’s office, seeks to combine the theoretical work done by participants at training institutions whilst equipping them with practical skills training in site management, project management, bricklaying and plastering, plumbing, and carpentry to name a few.
According to the CDC, the programme has seen a zero dropout rate throughout its duration and has managed to attract competitively qualified candidates over the years.
“This has led to the Department of Higher Education along with industries, to scope a program, which will lead to a qualification in the field and present it as a national occupational certificate based on the Clerk of Works framework,” the CDC said in a statement.
Addressing graduates at the ceremony, Coega CEO, Pepi Silinga, said: “Your stories are precisely the reason why these programmes are more important than the small numbers we are able to assist. To me, this programme represents a lot more than just the fact that you participate. It gives you the possibility of not only changing your lives but changing the lives of those around you.”
Graduate, Richard Tyesi (30) said: “On behalf of all 12 of us… we are thankful for you giving us an opportunity and investing in us to grow in the paths in which we’ve learned. I and all of my colleagues, we’re still hungry for more experience, for even larger projects than we’ve seen already.”