The DBE embarked on a practical skills training session for teachers and subject advisors in the Western Cape Province who are tasked with the delivery of the Vocational-oriented and Occupational subjects for years 1 – 4 in Schools of Skill (SoS), as well as in Grades 8 and 9 in Public Ordinary Schools (POS) from 21 to 23 February and 28 February to 2 March 2025 at the Industries Education and Training Institute (IETI). This initiative was aimed at enhancing hands-on teaching skills as part of its efforts to strengthen technical education under the Three Stream Model.

Over the two weekends of the programme, the IETI was a hive of activity as teachers and subject advisors practical skills were honed in the following subjects: Bricklaying and Plastering, Woodworking and Timber, Plumbing, Electrical and Welding, ensuring that they acquire both hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge. Speaking on the importance of continuous professional development, Chief Director for MST and Curriculum Enhancement Programmes, Mr Seliki Tlhabane, emphasised that well-trained teachers are the key to progress. “Yes, we need to give you resources, but resources alone will not take us where we need to be. A well-trained teacher is better than an untrained one, especially in fields where technology is constantly evolving,” he stated.

According to Ms Desiree Letshwiti, Chief Education Specialist (CES) for Electrical and Mechanical Technology, the training is part of a pilot curriculum that the DBE has developed with training manuals. The training is conducted by qualified artisans, assessors and moderators, ensuring that they receive industry state of the art training. “We are training 148 teachers and subject advisors in Vocational and Occupational subjects, and the participation and attendance of female teachers in technical subjects also plays a pivotal role in the advocacy of female learners in schools taking an interest in these male dominated subjects. The training ensures that teachers implementing these subjects have both theoretical knowledge and practical skills which are integrated to enhance teaching and learning of these subjects.” she explained.

Throughout the training, teachers participated in common tests and practical assessments to evaluate their proficiency. This initiative is set to expand other skills-related subjects under the Three Stream Model, which diversifies learning pathways by strengthening vocational and occupational education. Recognising that not all learners excel in traditional academic settings, Mr Nathan Josephs, Deputy Chief Educational Specialist and Provincial Coordinator for Electrical and Mechanical Technology, highlighted the importance of this initiative. “Some of our teachers are qualified in teaching but lack workshop experience. We saw this as a gap that needed to be filled to ensure learners receive the right skills for post-schooling opportunities”.

Mr Jason Abrahams, a technical educator described the training as comprehensive and safety-focused. "We are here to gain the skills and knowledge our learners need; we can take this back to the classroom and implement it at the most basic level to empower them”. The National Training Team (NTT) comprising of provincial subject specialists for Civil Technology, Electrical Technology and Mechanical Technology were also at the centre for purposes of monitoring and evaluating and to support both the facilitators and teachers throughout the training sessions.

The highlight of the training session was the certificate award ceremony where all trainees who have met the Post Assessment requirements were presented with certificates on 2 March 2025. Ms Letshwiti further indicated that to date, training has now been completed in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape Provinces, and that preparations for the remaining provinces are underway.