Alfred Moselakgomo

Providing trade-testing solutions for the people of Mpumalanga is a challenge that is seeing some innovative solutions emerge.

The appointment and endorsement of Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust (MRTT) as the first provincial Construction Education and Training Authority's (CETA) Centre of Excellence is one example.

This is a relief for the people of the province who used to travel long distances to Olifantfontein's Indlela Centre for trade testing in Gauteng.

CETA has given MRTT R4,3million to start the project.

MRTT satisfied all CETA's requirements to become an accredited centre of excellence, said CETA chief executive Petros Maoko.

The glittering ceremony was held on Friday at Emalahleni.

Maoko said he believed that MRTT's appointment would respond to construction industry's need for future training and will remedy some of the challenges being faced in attracting young people from different construction trades.

Education MEC Mmathulare Coleman said her department was thrilled to be part of this initiative.

"We are faced with shortage of technical skills and the limited technical requisite skills that make it difficult, if not impossible, for our people to share the benefits of the improved economy."

"This unfortunate phenomenon perpetuates unemployability of the human capital of this country," said Coleman.

MRTT's chief executive Davis Moropane said he hoped this appointment would help his organisation produce excellent graduates for the construction industry.

Premier Thabang Makwetla, initially scheduled to give a keynote address, failed to show up due to other commitments, much to the disappointment of hundreds of attendants.