As part of its contribution to the transformation of the transport sector, the Eastern Cape Department of Transport in partnership with Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) have massively embarked on a recruitment drive that saw 110 learners from all Districts being recruited in this academic year.
Out of these 110 learners four have been selected to be trained as Air Traffic Services Assistants.
ATNS has finally wrapped up all the processes regarding the placement of the bursary programme this month.
The initiative is in line with government’s ‘Transport Sector Skills Revolution Campaign’, which seeks to ensure that the department produces the scarce skills required by this critical sector of the economy.
The following candidates referred by DOT started with ATNS on 17 Sept 2012 and they are:
Vitshima Nwabisa – Mthatha
Akhona Ngambu – East London
Siyabulela Mateta – East London
Sikho Qangule – Mthatha
Since 2003, approximately 400 young people of the Eastern Cape have benefitted from the department’s bursaries.
These bursaries are awarded on the following selection criteria.
- Passed grade 12 with:
- Mathematics (not maths literacy) Level 4/ D (HG)/ C (SG)
- English Level 4/ D (HG)/ C (SG)
This initiative augurs well with the department’s commitment to the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s 2011/12 Campaign that seeks to take civil aviation to more disadvantaged areas of our society. South Africa continues to place priority on the need to have regional integration with the intention of ensuring the safety of African skies through developing and retaining highly skilled personnel.
Eastern Cape MEC for Transport Thandiswa Marawu has always emphasised that as a province, “we appreciate any partnership that seeks to reposition the transport sector in line with the development priorities of government, including the building of a skills and human resources base in order to intervene decisively and redress this systematic exclusion of the majority of our people from the mainstream of the economy.”
“We are looking forward to a day when the shortage of air traffic controllers and pilots will be a challenge of the past and to see more young Africans, especially girls, not only serving refreshments inside aeroplanes, but being active participants in this industry,” said Marawu.
