- Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has given more details on how unemployed youth can apply to train in the province’s upcoming solar technician project.
- The project will take 6 000 trainees under 35 through a 3-year course where they will develop technical skills related to solar photovoltaic tech.
- Enrolled trainees will be paid a monthly stipend of R4 000, up to a maximum of R7 000 depending on qualifications.
On Thursday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced that the province will be training 6 000 unemployed youth to install solar panels as part of a larger project to reduce the loadshedding burden on the region.
After a media briefing, Lesufi announced more details about the initiative, including what the monthly stipend that is to be paid to trainees would be, what the joining requirements were, the duration of the project, and what the scope of the training is.
Gauteng is partnering with the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA) to facilitate the training of the 6 000, and it will be over a three-year (36 month) period.
The entire initiative will cost Gauteng R175 million. The 6 000 students will not be trained at once; instead, different cohorts will be taken through the three-year run of the project at different times.
“The project will provide both theoretical and practical or in-service training. The theoretical part will be between 8 – 12 weeks to develop technical skills. This will be complemented by 6 – 8 months work experiential learning, where candidates will be given practical work experience,” reads a fact sheet about the project.
In terms of what trainees will actually be doing, the provincial government explains that the programme will have two elements. The first will be the basic installation, maintenance and repair of solar energy electronics, focusing on hybrid solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems.
The second element is more advanced and will be “targeted to youth who want to embark on a green economy-related career.”
Trainees who complete this second element will be eligible to receive an energy efficiency audit technician qualification and will require a base level of study, such as a BTech or equivalent.
Accordingly, completing this second element will be recognised as an NQF level 5 qualification.
Trainees will be guided by the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), which is apparently one of the key partners of the initiative.
Completion of the course will allow trainees to receive their SAPVIA green card statuses.
Other partners include the University of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni West TVET College, Tshwane TVET College, and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
Requirements to apply for training as a solar technician in Gauteng:
- “Must be a South African resident,
- Must be unemployed,
- You must be under 35 years,
- You need to have matriculated after 2016 in a Gauteng school,
- You need to have interest in a career in energy efficiency,
- N3+ electrical qualifications from TVET colleges, and/or technical matric will be seen as an added advantage but are not required.”
How to apply to become a Gauteng youth solar technician:
Applications are set to open on 8th May 2023, and will close on 8th June 2023 so there is plenty of time to get your name out there.
According to the provincial government, applicants must send their CV, copies of their ID, copies of any previous qualification certificates and proof of residence to the email address: GCRA.wfd@gauteng.gov.za.
Applicants can also apply through the SA Youth Mobi site, found here. You must first join the site using your South African ID number, personal details, phone number, email address and the ZIP code of where you live.
You will require the same information for both options.
How much will you be getting paid?
Enrolled trainees will receive a base monthly stipend of R4 000, with higher stipends awarded depending on trainees’ qualifications, with a maximum of R7 000 a month.
[Image – Gauteng Provincial Government]
