24 October 2007
The Gautrain project has launched a new funky yet educational website to
introduce pre-grade nine learners to various careers and skills required to
successfully complete a big infrastructure project like Gautrain.
Skills development in the math, science, technology and engineering sectors
are one of the project's objectives â MyTrain takes Gautrain a step closer to
that objective as it creates awareness, appetite and a better understanding of
these much needed skills.
This website is the third website under the Gautrain domain, the other two
being the main Gautrain website and the award winning website for kids.
Located at http://www.mytrain.co.za
or as a link from http://www.gautrain.co.za, the site targets
learners at a stage when they need to consider the most appropriate school
subjects for their chosen careers.
In celebration of Public Transport Month, the MyTrain website was launched
by Gauteng MEC for Public Transport, Roads and Works, Ignatius Jacobs on
Tuesday, 23 October at Kingsmead College.
"The MyTrain.co.za website aims to cultivate a culture of learning,
especially in scarce skills like maths, science and engineering. Gautrain is a
real-life, practical example of how a variety of careers come together to build
the biggest and first ever rapid rail link project in Africa," said Jacobs.
Tech-savvy teenagers are the future riders of Gautrain. During research
conducted amongst a representative group, it was evident that they are very
interested in a website that explains the world-class technology used to build
Gautrain. However, they require websites to present information in bite-size
text and images that are quick to download.
Besides showcasing on Gautrain's technology and skills, the MyTrain website
also encourages teenagers to make use of public transport. It educates
teenagers about the various initiatives to improve public transport by 2010 and
how Gautrain will be integrated with other modes of transport such as buses,
trains, plains, taxi's and trains.
Another important aspect featured on the MyTrain website is Gautrain's
adherence to its Environmental Management Plan which has several measures in
place to protect communities during the construction of Gautrain. It includes
issues such as noise and dust monitoring, pollution and heritage
protection.
Concerned about global warming and other environmental issues, teenagers are
also educated about the benefits of Gautrain in terms of eliminating carbon
dioxide emissions and combating urban sprawl through its positive impact on
Gautengâs spatial development framework.
During the launch of the MyTrain website, Kingsmead College learners also
accompanied MEC Jacobs to the Rosebank Station Construction site to view
construction progress first hand. The school is situated next to the Gautrain
Rosebank Station construction site.
Lisa Benning, Headmistress Kingsmead College said: "Kingsmead College has
seen the construction of the Gautrain as a valuable educational opportunity for
all our girls. Regular meetings are held between Bombela and Kingsmead College
where the level of co-operation is high. We view the Gautrain in a most
positive light. It is our hope that more, much-needed, architects and engineers
will emerge from the pupils at Kingsmead College who are fortunate to be
witnessing history in the making."
"An important legacy of the Gautrain is the skills and technology transfer
that it will bring to our people. The next time we have to construct a system
like the Gautrain or when we decide to extend the Gautrain service, the South
African youth of today will make it happen. But only if they qualify in the
professions that is needed on the delivery of huge infrastructure projects such
as the Gautrain." concluded Jacobs.
For more information contact:
Barbara Jensen
Cell: 083 600 4862
Issued by: Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works, Gauteng
Provincial Government
24 October 2007
