RMI also has a new staff member. This is the story of the new addition to our team.
Lynton (Bennie) Skeffers, a 35year old man from Wesbank, a government informal settlement, came to RMI in search of welding qualification papers. He worked before in a small welding company as a Boilermaker and Welder assist. He later became a semi-skilled welder.
In 2017 he read an article about the welding courses at RMI Skills Academy and he then decided to enroll himself in January 2018. He knew how to weld, but didn’t know the different parts of the welding machines that were used, so getting the formal training became very important for him.
He said that from the first day he started at RMI he felt at home because everyone around him was very helpful, caring and to him that’s family. The theory and the practical given to him was crystal clear and in an understandable way.Since then his welding improved. He finished his three months training course with flying colours.
Three months after he had finished his course, he received a call from RMI that they would like to meet with him.At that time he was unemployed.He was offered a position as Assistant Welding Instructor. “In my entire life I have never imagined myself as a teacher,so I asked for some time to think about it.” He said however to himself;“If they have confidence and trust in me thanI should also have trust and confidence in myself.”He accepted the offer and the rest is history. He was put in a train-the-trainer program.
“I feel good to give back what I have learnt to other students and seeing the smiles on their faces, realising that they have learned a skill, is a great satisfactionto me;”Bennie concluded. His wishes for RMI is to grow from strength to strength and he says it will be his honour and privilege to grow with RMI.
Lynton Skeffers (Bennie)
Victor JongileSitoleis a 37yearold from Mfuleni was the student at RMI in 2018. On completion of his course, he found a job at Omnicon, an Engineering company in Blackheath near Kuilsriver. He said; “I am working very well and I am learning a lot.” He also got exposed to Boilermaking in the company. Hisdesire is to come backto RMI and to upskill himself in a Plumbing.
Ivan Isaacs, a 25-year-old from Belhar, Cape Town finished his welding course and started the training at Reachen for Merseta accreditation but unfortunately couldn’t finish because of struggles with transport. He was called for an interview by a big transport company called Henred SA Truck bodies (Route Management). He was offered an apprenticeship and he passed the interview and the welding tests with scores of 100 and 90%. “I was offered an apprenticeship and now I’m still enjoying myjourney to become a qualified welder.I am excited. Now, my future looks bright. So different from what it was.”
Ivan Isaacsreceived an Apprenticeshipat Ivan Isaacs with Johan Gordon the Senior
Henred SA Truck BodiesWelding Teacher of RMI
Michael Zuko Magwebeba is a 27year-old who lives in Kalfontein, Kuilsriver.He was born and grew up in Khayelitsha.He passed matric in 2011 and went to study at CPUT but dropped out due to financial problems. He read about RMI on the Tygerburger newspaper.“I was very excited because I always wanted to do welding and be able to work for myself;”he said. I enjoyed the course, however in future I would like to have my own company.”
Jermaine Van Zyl is from Wesbank in Kuilsriver and he heard about RMI in the Tygerburger.He explained; “My experience was very good.I was taught about all welding positions.Before I came here, I knew nothing about welding. I learned a lot.”
After he completed the welding course, he got an opportunity to do his 3 months workplace exposure at Techni Punch in Blackheath and now he is waiting for Merseta moderation to get his results. He would like to be an underwater welder and this was his first step of becoming what he would like to be.“I would like to thank RMI for opening doors for me;” he concluded