As part of its contribution to the transformation of the transport sector, the Eastern Cape Department of Transport has awarded 29 bursaries to deserving youth of the province in this academic year.
These bursaries were awarded on the following fields of study: Aeronautical Engineering (2), Civil Engineering (15), Mechanical Engineering (10) and Maritime Engineering (2). The value of bursaries awarded totalled R 65 000.00 per learner.
“This initiative is in line with the department’s ‘Transport Sector Skills Revolution Campaign’, which seeks to ensure that we produce the scarce skills required by this critical sector of our economy,” says Transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu.
Since 2003, more than 300 young people of the Eastern Cape have benefitted from the department’s bursaries and they include 285 Africans, 134 females and 115 students.
Currently, the Department in partnership with the Air Traffic Navigation Services is looking for Eastern Cape youth who are interested to be trained as Air Traffic Controllers.
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)
Students who meet the above requirements must register at their nearest Department of Transport offices and MUST bring certified copies of their Matric certificates / results and IDs.
Registered students will be notified about the date and venue for briefing and assessment.
This initiative augurs well with our 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.
“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,” MEC Marawu emphasised.
Media contact:
Ncedo Kumbaca
Director: Communications
Cell: 082 5626 023
