The Wind Turbine Technician Training Programme supported by Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm has doubled its intake in its second year, advancing South Africa’s capacity to train accredited wind energy service technicians, the South African Wind Energy Association announced.
Developed and implemented by the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, the programme combines six months of theoretical training with two months of on-site practical experience. Upon completion, participants receive a Quality Council for Trades and Occupations Occupational Certificate: Wind Turbine Service Technician – a nationally recognised qualification aligned with international standards.
This year, four qualified electricians from surrounding communities – Simanyene Blouw, Lungelwa Magobiyana, Siyamthanda Ngculu and Chuma Lugogwana – began their on-site training phase at Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm. They were selected from more than 300 applicants.
According to Nonini Makhothe, Economic Development Specialist at Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm, the success of the first intake demonstrated “the strong potential within local communities and the value of expanding technical training to build a sustainable wind sector workforce”.
