Two young electricians from the Humansdorp community, Kanyisa Goveni (27) and Qaliswa Ndleleni (28), have been selected from hundreds of applicants to join the inaugural Wind Turbine Technician Training Programme launched by Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm in June this year. The programme, designed to upskill local youth and meet the growing demand for skilled technicians in South Africa’s renewable energy sector, officially commenced on 12 August.
Kanyisa Goveni, inspired by the empowerment of women in the renewable energy sector, saw the programme as a timely opportunity. “My high school teacher always encouraged me to pursue a career in engineering because of my hands-on approach and eagerness to learn,” she said. “This training aligns with my college studies in Renewable Energy Technologies and my long-standing desire to work in the green energy field.”
Qaliswa Ndleleni, who has lived in Humansdorp for 16 years and previously worked as an operator at a local dairy, is equally enthusiastic about her new path. “Seeing the wind farms around Kouga sparked my interest in renewable energy. With my background as a qualified electrician, I was eager to find opportunities to be part of these projects,” she explained.
Both Kanyisa and Qaliswa will receive an accredited Quality Council of Trades and Occupations (QCTO) Occupational Certificate: Wind Turbine Service Technician upon completion of the programme. The training, developed by the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC), a division of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), includes both theoretical and practical components. The six-month course is followed by a two-month workplace experiential learning phase, which will take place on site at Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm, providing these young electricians with hands-on experience.
Nonini Makhothe, Economic Development Specialist at Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm, emphasized the programme’s importance: “As the renewable energy sector grows in South Africa, there is an increasing demand for skills, particularly in the wind sector. By aligning our development efforts with current skills gaps, we aim to provide participants with highly sought-after skills that will make them attractive to potential employers.”
The Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm’s Wind Turbine Technician Training Programme is open to applicants from the communities surrounding the wind farm, including Thornhill, Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, Hankey, Patensie, and Lourie. All participants require prior qualifications, such as an NQF Level 4 in Electrician (Light Voltage, Medium Voltage, High Voltage), Mechatronics, Millwright, Fitters and Turners, or a National Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronics.
