April 2025.
Eight young people from the Northern Cape town of Pella are taking part in a specialised millwright training programme designed to improve their employment prospects in local industries. The three-year programme combines classroom-based learning with hands-on experience and is aligned with the needs of sectors such as mining and renewable energy, which are active in the region.
Funded by Konkoonsies Solar Power, the initiative forms part of a broader effort to tackle youth unemployment and increase access to industry-relevant skills within the community. The programme, which started in mid-2024, includes practical training in partnership with local mining houses and supports long-term workforce development within the Khai-Ma Local Municipality.
One of the eight participants is a young woman, reflecting efforts to encourage broader inclusion in trades traditionally dominated by men. The training is delivered by Afrika Skills Training College South Africa, based in Pofadder.
Millwrighting involves the installation, maintenance, and repair of stationary industrial machinery, with applications across sectors including mining, manufacturing, and state-owned enterprises. As industrial operations increasingly rely on electro-mechanical equipment and electronic controllers, the need for qualified artisans continues to grow.
Harrisinah Theka, Economic Development Manager at Konkoonsies Solar Power, explained the rationale for the programme: “With several mining operations in the area, there’s a clear need for local skills development. This programme aims to close that gap and ensure that community members are better positioned to access employment opportunities close to home.”
The programme is expected to benefit the broader community by increasing the number of skilled local youth, making it easier for nearby employers to hire locally.
Participant Charlton Basson encouraged others from this area to take initiative, saying, “I would encourage young people in my community to actively seek out growth opportunities. Don’t be afraid to try something new or step outside your comfort zone.”
Participants were selected through a collaboration between Konkoonsies Solar Power, Lima Rural Development Foundation, and local mining houses operating within the Khai-Ma Local Municipality. Selection was coordinated via the incubation office in Pella.
Upon completion of the current three-year cycle, a second group of eight trainees will be selected, with plans to expand the programme to other communities, including Onseepkans and Pofadder.
