operators at provincial hospitals
13 January 2009
Public Works North West has recruited 91 trainees as boiler operators at 11
provincial hospitals in an attempt to address the critical skills drain and
shortage created partly by the ever increasing vacant posts that has reached
critical levels.
Also feeling the pinch are major hospitals like Mafikeng Provincial
Hospital, General De La Rey Hospital in Lichtenburg, Potchefstroom Hospital,
Tshepong Hospital in Matlosana, Vryburg Hospital, Zeerust Hospital and Job
Tabane Hospital.
Boiler operation is one of the most critical for the smooth running of
hospital services in the province in those boiler operators do regular
maintenance of hot water boilers that hospitals use for the generation of
steam.
In provincial hospitals boiler operators ensure that there is steam
reticulation into the entire building for heating water, cooking and
sterilisation of theatrical equipment and for the laundry equipment, among
others.
The provision of boiler operation services at provincial hospitals remain
the competency of the Public Works Department.
The recruitment of 91 from 6 500 applicants, followed previous, yet
unsuccessful attempts to fill more than 50 boiler operator posts in hospitals.
One of the reasons cited for the exodus of boiler operators to greener
pastures, was the unattractive salaries. Boiler operators in the province are
employed on salary level three (R54 879 per annum) while their assistants are
on level two (R47 787 per annum). Currently, there are 106 boiler operators in
the province instead 161 that exist in the structure.
Acting Head of Department Motlapele Ntshabele said the trainees, all from
rural and poor background, would undergo a 12 month on-the-job training. Each
will receive a monthly R2 500 stipend. At least 55 are expected to be absorbed
permanently at the end of the course. Ntshabele said âthe high vacancy rate of
boiler operators in state hospitals across the province had put a strain in
both the departmentâs human and financial resourcesâ.
âThe few people that have been doing this kind of work had to work day and
night because boilers have to be manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This
led to a situation where the department spent a lot of money on overtime
claims,â she said. Ntshabele cited Job Tabane Hospital in Rustenburg as an
example where only three boilermakers have to work overtime âjust to keep
health services uninterruptedâ.
The enthusiastic learners, who are made up of 71 men and 20 women, have been
placed in the 11 hospitals across the province.
According to Human Resource Management Director, Pogisho Moremedi, the
current boiler operators would act as mentors to the learners. A training
consultant would be appointed shortly. Moremedi said training would cover key
areas of boiler operations which include lighting the fire, raising steam
pressure, de-ashing, emergency shutdowns, blowdown procedures and safe
maintenance of steam pressure.
One of the trainees, Kenaleone Moeng (23) from Vryburg, said since passing
her matric in 2002 all had seemed gloomy until she saw an advertisement in a
local newspaper for the boiler operator development programme.
âThis is an opportunity of a life time. For me as a young woman, this is a
very proud moment because these kinds of jobs were previously dominated by our
male counterparts,â she said.
At the end of the programme learners are expected to emerge with a wealth of
knowledge and a recognised certificate issued by an accredited institution to
help the trainees to be competitive in the job market.
Enquiries:
Matshube Mfoloe
Tel: 018 387 2447
Cell: 082 305 4594
E-mail:mmfoloe@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Public Works, North West Provincial
Government
13 January 2009
Source: Department of Public Works, North West Provincial Government
(http://www.nwpg.gov.za/Public%20Works/main.asp
