Free State Welding Skills Initiative Earns Industry Praise as Model for Youth Employment

A groundbreaking vocational training programme launched in the Free State has been hailed by industry leaders as a vital step toward closing South Africa's widening skills deficit.

The initiative, which integrates practical welding certification into the matric curriculum, allows Grade 12 students from 18 provincial schools to graduate with both their National Senior Certificate and an accredited occupational qualification. The dual-credential approach represents a significant shift in how technical education is delivered to school-leavers.

According to Louis van Huyssteen, National Training Director at the Retail Motor Industry Organisation, the model addresses a longstanding disconnect between classroom learning and workplace readiness. "Young people are graduating without the practical competencies that employers require. This programme changes that equation by embedding industry-relevant training directly into the schooling system," van Huyssteen explained.

The programme, which began in September 2025, relies on a partnership between the provincial Department of Education and SA Truck Bodies Training Centre, an accredited facility offering trade testing in both welding and vehicle bodybuilding. Through this collaboration, learners receive supervised practical training that meets national occupational standards.

Frik Burger, who oversees training operations at SA Truck Bodies, highlighted the programme's alignment with sector needs. "We're not just teaching theory—we're introducing learners to real engineering environments and giving them certifications that carry weight in the job market. Accreditation ensures that what they learn is what industry actually values," Burger said.

Dr Mamik Maboya, the Free State MEC for Education, described the programme as part of a broader effort to make schooling more responsive to learners' career ambitions. "Our education system must do more than prepare students for exams. It must prepare them for life—and that means giving them tangible skills and clear routes into the workforce," Dr Maboya stated.

Burger noted that graduates of the programme gain competency in arc welding and are positioned to pursue apprenticeships, learnerships, or further technical studies within SA Truck Bodies and related industries. "This kind of public-private collaboration is how we ensure our workforce can compete internationally," he added.

Van Huyssteen emphasized that the Free State model should serve as a blueprint for expansion. "We need skilled tradespeople across the board—not just in welding. Programmes like this must be scaled up if we're serious about reducing youth unemployment and strengthening our industrial base. The RMI stands ready to support similar initiatives that create opportunity and drive economic growth," he concluded.