Talented students shine in provincial WorldSkills Competition

Students from the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering showcased their talent and skills during the provincial competition of the WorldSkills Competition (WSC).

Hosted by the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment, the event was held at SARETEC.

WorldSkills competitions are considered the gold standard of skills excellence. They inspire young competitors to reach new heights, helping them turn their passion into a profession.

The teams were trained by CPUT staff members and the sponsors of the different skills.

The teams showed their talents in four skills:  CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Milling, Mobile Robotics, Mechatronics and Renewable Energy as well as one “future skill”, Additive Manufacturing. 

The guests and participants were welcomed by Prof Marshall Sheldon, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, who said the competition was an exciting opportunity for the faculty and for the institution.

The speakers included Mike Mashinini (World Skills South Africa (WSZA): Technical Delegate) and Leon Beech (South African Educator Development Centre).

Mashinini said the competition was not just about winning but about building skills and careers.

He emphasised the six focus areas that are aligned to the WorldSkills Vision 2025: Promotion of Skills; Career Building; International Development; Education and Training; Research and Competitions.  

Mashinini expressed the hope that some of the CPUT students would progress to the 46th WorldSkills Competition, scheduled to be held in Shanghai next year.

Students were presented with certificates and awards after the competition while the experts in each skill were also presented with certificates of participation.

Lecturer Vuyani Moni said the students, skill experts, management and support staff were all invited to the Western Cape World Skill Award ceremony (WC WSZA Award Ceremony), scheduled to be held on 11 December.

He said the WC WSZA subcommittee would be awarding all the skill participants who participated in different provincial competitions.  

“Students and skills experts were also encouraged to vaccinate in preparation for the national competition in Durban (28 February to 3 March), Africa Skills competition in Namibia (31 March to 3 April) and the global competition in China (12 to 17 October 2022).

Moni said it was expected that 127 countries would participate in WSC in China in more than 60 skills.

“CPUT is positioning itself to participate in all the possible Higher Order Skills by year 2023 as part of WorldSkills Vision 2025 where there should be one standard used for each skill,” Moni added.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email:Frederickskennediji@cput.ac.za