Central Johannesburg College takes advantage of world trends by training youth towards artisan opportunities in the Green Industries
With more and more emphasis on the need to become environmentally conscious and ´going green´, the Central Johannesburg College (CJC) has embraced this as an opportunity, and is the first Public Further Education and Training (FET) College in South Africa to take advantage of world trends by training youth towards artisan opportunities in theGreen Industries.
The world economic recession has presented challenges but has also created unique opportunities of competitiveness for the developing world.
“For South Africa, the current energy crisis creates a sense of urgency for the implementation of green industrial strategies that require a new skills development agenda.” says Motsumi Makhene, Principal of the Central Johannesburg College.
“The CJC goal is to create urban energy solutions to meet community skills development needs in collaboration with local government and private sector.”
The Gauteng Premier´s vision to have 47% of the Province´s energy mix being renewable energy and clean technologies by 2055 creates a need for public institutions, from health, education to social services, to lead in the reduction of electricity consumption and converting to renewable and sustainable energy sources as a positive contribution towards the current energy shortfall.
According to Makhene, “the CJC has targeted to replace an estimated seventy five geysers across its eight sites with solar geyser technology. Training of the first cohort of twenty youth in solar geyser installation started in May 2010 at the Alexandra Campus and will result in the development of additional learnership opportunities by 2014, spurred by the Department of Minerals and Energy´s project to install one million household geysers by 2014.“
Encouraged by the City of Johannesburg´s award for its leadership in energy efficiency in March 2010, the College has initiated its first green retrofitting project, by converting a 100 year old heritage building to house CJC´s Centre for Employment and Entrepreneurship Development (CEED).
The scope of green retrofitting includes installation of photovoltaic technology, solar geyser, water harvesting, low energy lighting and cooling systems among other built environment adjustments to meet international compliance standards.
Created to provide innovative solutions to workforce development needs, CEED has responded to recent trends by promoting green career and business opportunities to youth as part of its mandate.
Already, the Centre has initiated a business plan competition for 50 youth around the theme of green innovation.
Prospective public and private sector partners interested in these exciting undertakings are invited to contact the Central Johannesburg College at 011 642 1993 or green@cjcceed.com
Source: msn.com
The liveeco team
