Kamogelo Seekoei

Kamogelo Seekoei

Gauteng students in motor mechanics yesterday received a boost from Nissan South Africa.

The students received eight engines from the company at a ceremony held at Alexandra's Further Education Training College campus.

Mokaba Mokgatle, head of the Gauteng education department's FET directorate, accepted the donation on behalf of the students.

He thanked Nissan for making the engines available for hands-on training.

"We are grateful for the gift because this will close the critical skills gap the government is concerned about," said Mokgatle.

Nissan South Africa donated the engines to help the students improve their practical motor mechanic skills.

The eight 1600cc Nissan Almera engines will be distributed to the eight colleges in Gauteng.

There are 480 students at the colleges in Gauteng training to be motor mechanics, but only 160 lucky ones will be using the engines for their training.

The Alexandra students yesterday said learning practically was important to enhance their skills.

Recently Nissan South Africa also donated eight engines to similar colleges in North West.