IN THIS ISSUE
June 2014
• Tools of the trade
• Energy measurement and supply
• Lighting
16-18
19-24
25-27
FEATURES
• Contractors’ Corner
• Buyers’ Guide
• People on the Move
REGULARS
2-13
14–15
28
EVERY year, Emperors Palace gives local youth the opportunity to take
part the Peermont EducationTrust (PET) programme and the young
learners, selected for the programme, work while they learn at Emperors
Palace.
Since 2001, the Peermont EducationTrust has invested over
R56million into education for the Ekurhuleni community and, on 15May,
theTrust held yet another impressive graduation ceremony.
Nick du Plessis, managing director of P &TTechnology and
Sparks
Electrical News
columnist, addressed the graduates in an inspiring speech
entitled
‘Is there a future for electricians inSouthAfrica?
’Du Plessis spoke
passionately about the need for learners to dismiss the notion of math
literacy and focus on subjects such asmathematics and science.
“The experience the students gain here is invaluable and it assists them
in finding jobs in the all-important artisan sector – a sector that is in dire
need of skilled graduates,”says Du Plessis.
“Without electricians our country will not move forward.Whilst the
majority of young South Africans want to study, it is electricians who
keep the lights burning for them to do so,”adds Du Plessis.
TheTrust offers three-year learnerships for electricians, spending
R2-million annually on the NQF level accredited training. Learners are
offered the opportunity to apply for amanagement qualification or
complete their trade tests, which ensures that the Lesedi Programme
provides careers with longevity and future opportunities for young
artisans.The PET Lesedi programme boasts a 100%employment rate as
all theTrust’s graduates have been employed after training.
TheTrustees provide life skills training for students and assist them
with job seeking skills that ensure a positive and successful outcome of
the programme.Through this training, South Africa’s skills shortage is
being addressed and unemployed youngsters are being given a chance
to become gainfully employed, making a positive contribution to the
economy in a tangibleway.
In the past year theTrust developed 28 learners in the electrician cat-
egory: Eight electricians at NQF Level, 13 electricians at NQF Level 2 and
seven electricians at NQF Level 4.
“As a group, Peermont approaches Corporate Social Investment and
Responsibility (CSIR) as an integral part of theway we do business and
all our initiatives are alignedwith the group’s vision andmission.We
commend ourTrustees and administrative staff on the selfless work they
continue to do,”saysVusi Zwane, Peermont Corporate Affairs and CSI
executive.
Zwane announced that R30-millionwas disbursed to awide variety
of under-served communities through Peermont’sTrusts and CSIR
A bright future for young electricians
initiatives throughout the year. Jenny Findlay, theTrust manager, says:“The
learners have awonderful opportunity to gain the essential skills that will
give theman advantage in theworkplace. In this way they can start at the
bottomand learn the‘nuts and bolts’of the business before broadening
their career opportunities.”
The Peermont EducationTrust is sponsored by Emperors Palace and
to date, over 500 young people have been assisted through the Lesedi
Programme.
Enquiries: (011) 928-1000
This group of Peermont
Education Trust Lesedi
Programme students
successfully completed
their NQF level 2, 3 or 4
electrical learnerships at P&T
Technology inGermiston and
graduated at a ceremony at
Emperors Palace onMay 15.
(Back): P&T Technology’s
Nick du Plessis (trustee);
Sandile Nkabinde; Vusi Zwane
(Trust chairperson); Sboniso
Myeni; Njabulo Skosana;
TshepoMbhalathi; Tshidi
Madima; and special guest
at the graduation, Bennett
Nikani (Ekurhuleni MMC City
Planning & Economic
Development); (front) Given
Molefe, Clinton Sekake,
Sydney Simamane, Kagiso
Molefe, and KgomotsoMoja.
(Photograph by Yolanda van
der Stoep).
