10 July 2008

Premier Dipuo Peters and the Chairperson of the Northern Cape Youth Commission, Commissioner Garrith Bezuidenhoudt will be officiating the signing ceremony of the Youth Training Programme in Heating Ventilation and Air-conditioning Industry (HVAC) at the Office of the Premier in Kimberley. Also in attendance will be the MEC for Education, G. A. Lucas, MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works, K.D. Molusi, as well as Ms. Ria Ledwaba, Group Marketing Director of the Ifihlile Group of Companies, and Mr. Mpho Mashiane, Managing Director of the group.

The Northern Cape Provincial Government through the Northern Cape Youth Commission concluded an agreement for a provincial training programme for youth in the Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning sector. The programme is jointly funded by the NC YC and the Departments of Transport, Roads and Public Works and Education to the tune of R 39 million over the next three years.

The NCPG recognizes identified strategic skills shortages as a critical constraint to the planned growth and development in South Africa and in particular the youth of the Northern Cape.

Said Premier Peters: "The training programme will go a long way in promoting and addressing youth development, and also promote skills development for the youth in the Northern Cape, which is currently regarded as a fatal constrain to their own development and that of their communities.

NC YC Chairperson Garrith Bezuidenhoudt commented that "the implementation of the programme, and the funding commitment by the Northern Cape Government is a tacit demonstration of the confidence that the provincial government has in both the youth and the future of the Northern Cape."

It is envisaged that 300 learners would have completed the training at the expiry of the five (5) years term, 200 as Refrigerated Air-Conditioning and Ventilation Technicians, 50 as Electrician Technicians and 50 as Construction Specialized Technicians.

The training is fully accredited by MERSETA and it is offered by Ifihlile Training Academy Northern Cape (Pty) Ltd.

Ifihlile Training Academy has established a reputation as a Centre of Excellence in developing technical skills for the air-conditioning, refrigeration, and ventilation (HVAC) industry, and has recorded successful implementation of the programme in other provinces.

Jointly Issued by Office of the Premier and the Northern Cape Youth Commission
For further information, contact:

Ms. Bronwyn Thomas
Office of the Premier