New opportunities

South Africa’s first trade test centre accredited to assess machine setters working in the plastic manufacturing industry, opened its doors in Diep River on June 1, on the premises of packaging manufacturer, Polyoak Packaging.Polyoak’s in-house training division has been working closely with the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority for accreditation of its programmes and certifying its learners since 2008. Eight Polyoak apprentices started the theoretical component of this qualification in 2017. Polyoak is now working with the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations to verify learning and ensure correct assessment and moderation of the qualification. Apprentices who have completed the theoretical and practical components can then undertake their trade test to officially qualify as the first accredited plastics manufacturing machine setters in South Africa. Polyoak’s setter apprentices, from left are, Lee-roy Petersen, Deon Cupido (technical training manager), Noerjah Mathews, Zaynoedeen Valentine, Ghakiem Stemmet, Shane Pieters and Taaqir Adams. Ms Mathews is on track to qualify as South Africa’s first female plastics manufacturing machine setter.