Sassda receives support for artisan training

The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) has been appointed by the Services Seta as an independent service provider to assist with the implementation of the Artisan Aide Project in terms of Section 28 of the amended Manpower Training Act of 1981.

The appointment has given Sassda a grant to train 25 Section 28 Candidates in scarce skills - welding, fitting and turning, millwrights and boilermaking.

“Sassda will primarily be sourcing employed individuals from our member bases to be part of this initiative. Unemployed individuals are also eligible to participate. These participants will be able to obtain their trade test and qualification over a period of one year,” says Janelle Gravett, skills development manager for Sassda.

“This is an opportunity for individuals who have achieved various levels of the National Certificate courses or who have many years of experience and have not been able to obtain formal qualifications” explains Gravett, “If individuals have not yet been able to take a trade test or who have failed a trade test and been unable to retake it, will now have an opportunity to do so.”

The funding from the Services Seta will ensure these individuals complete the required and relevant training and are ready to take the trade test.

The support from the Services Seta will form part of the recently announced bursary scheme for artisans announced by Sassda in November 2008. The Seta grant is valid until February 2010.