professionals
23 March 2009
Potchefstroom â In its pursuit to respond to skills shortage in the field of
agriculture, the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture which is provincially
known for its distinction in offering specialised agricultural training for
prospective farmers and agricultural professionals, will this week (Friday, 27
March 2009), confer Higher Certificates and Diplomas in Agriculture to 44
graduates, during a ceremony to be held at the college premises.
The ceremony which will be graced by the presence of the Honourable Premier
of the North West Province, mme Edna Molewa will see the awarding of NQF level
5 Higher Certificates in Agriculture to 24 (19 males and five females) and NQF
level 6 Diploma in Agriculture to 20 graduates (17 males and three
females).
MEC responsible for Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment
Mr Jan Serfontein, says it is critical for these graduates to rise to the
occasion to meet the skills challenges identified in this field.
"A week hardly goes by" highlighted MEC Serfontein "without talk or a story
on the serious skills shortages that this country is experiencing and how this
is impacting on our abilities to deliver services or meet the demands of our
economy. It is for this and many other reasons, that in congratulating these
graduates, we also draw their attention to the fundamental call to diligently
address the country's economic and farming situation through their acquired
professional skills," appealed MEC Jan Serfontein.
The Potchefstroom College of Agriculture has, as its goal, the training of
farmers and agriculturalists in the theory and practice of agriculture in such
a way that they (graduates), on the short and long term, can manage and sustain
an economically viable farming enterprise. Students are equipped with practical
knowledge and skills on the following, so as to prepare them to rise up to any
agricultural eventuality: - Agricultural Management and Information Technology,
Plant Production; Livestock Husbandry and Agricultural Engineering.
Upon completion of an NQF level 6 National Diploma in Agriculture: Mixed
Farming, graduates can choose from a range of career opportunities that include
becoming an agricultural technician, extension officer, research technician,
agricultural product inspector, irrigation technician, agricultural science
school teacher and many more other careers.
The college, which is using dual mediums of Afrikaans and English was
established in 1909 and will towards the end of this year celebrate its
centenary (100 years of existence).
Members of the media are invited to the graduation ceremony scheduled as
follows:
Date: 27 March 2009
Venue: Potchefstroom College of Agriculture Hall
Time: 10h00
Issued by: Department Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, North West
Provincial Government
23 March 2009
