Minister of higher education and training Naledi Pandor officially opened a centre of specialisation for plumbers, electricians and boilermakers at Ekurhuleni East TVET college on Tuesday morning. Pandor said the funding provided by the national skills fund has ensured that infrastructure is upgraded and facilitators are trained.

"The programme is paving the way for the transformation of our TVET colleges, making them more relevant, more responsive and more attractive," said Pandor, adding that the opening of the centre is notable because Ekurhuleni East is one of four colleges involved in their dual-system pilot programme for plumbers and electricians.

"Ekurhuleni East Rand has decided to make this particular facility a dedicated occupational campus by adding the boilermaking centre of specialisation to the electrical and plumbing centre. The East Rand is known to be one of the largest economic hubs in the country and we trust that this centre will serve industry in the surrounding areas."

Happy Sibande, the college principal, said she was happy that the college has been selected as one of the only two TVET colleges in Gauteng.

"It is a huge benefit to students to have the reassurance that they are contracted to the participating companies from the start of their training."