For many, registering at an institute of higher learning and employability
provides a dilemma but West Coast College is still an institution providing programmes responsive to the skills shortage, entrepreneurship, and for further academic development.
With South Africa’s unemployment rate at 23.3 percent in the second quarter of 2020 from 30.1 percent (a notable decline), still provides uncertainty for many as 2.2 million jobs were lost in the same period.
While many South Africans have witnessed job losses, West Coast College remains a cornerstone in the academic and skills development in the West Coast region.
Rhazia Hamza, Deputy Principal: Innovation and Development of West Coast College says:
“West Coast College is one of the top TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) Colleges regarding placement nationally, we have a Welding School Of Excellence, have been awarded the Centre of Specialisation for Pipe Fitting and we have received a clean financial and SABS audit from all the relevant governing bodies.
“Our staff are highly competent and we are home to the college of choice of the WorldSkills South Africa Bronze Medalist in 2019.”
Minister Blade Nzimande, Higher Education and Training has always reiterated the importance of TVET Colleges as a key sector especially focussing on benefiting young people currently not in education, employment or training in opportunities to participate by studying in work-oriented programmes that will make them more employable for now and future opportunities.
With five campuses in the region, West Coast College gives prospective students and employers the opportunity to upskill and train staff as well as give prospective students in the region the opportunity to grow the economy of the region, become entrepreneurs and become active and responsible citizens of the country.
Over the next couple of years, the college will be seeing some great growth opportunities that includes:
• Establishing of and Entrepreneurship Hub in Vredenburg
• Establishing a Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Centre at the Atlantis Campus
• Establishment of a Fourth Industrial Revolution Workshop
“During the fallout of the past and current uncertain times that we have faced nationally and globally, one thing remains certain that West Coast College will continue to provide the quality of education and training that we have provided in the past.”
“We would like to invite any possible stakeholder, or prospective students to come and visit our campuses and see that it is indeed in line with what is expected from DHET and then they can even register to become part of the West Coast College family in 2021 and gain a relevant, registered and quality education and qualification,” added Rhazia Hamza.