September will see the launch by Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) of a marine skills development programme following the completion this week of its Maritime Training Centre at the Port of Cape Town.
According to a TNPA statement, an underutilised building was refurbished to house the new centre which will provide marine skills development programmes and apprenticeships to youth from previously disadvantaged communities as well as Transnet employees.
Cape Town port manager, Mpumi Dweba-Ketana, said that the project was part of government’s Operation Phakisa programme.
Courses at the new centre will include the accredited dock master training programme, ship and boat building courses, a ship maintenance programme and key training programmes for berthing masters and dock masters.
“Demand is high for critical skills such as dock masters who often work abnormal hours due to shortages,” said Dweba-Ketana. “TNPA needs to train more than 50 dock masters across the port system.”
She said the training centre would leverage off existing partnerships with institutions such as the Transnet Maritime School of Excellence and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
