JA job shadowers learn full extent of energy crisis
MANZINI
– “We aim to bring forth ideas that are going to improve energy production in the country as we are aware of the energy crisis that has been ongoing in nearby countries.”
This was the general view of 40 pupils from 27 high schools, who had been attached for two weeks in various energy-related companies through the Junior Achievement (JA) Job Shadowing Programme. The event took place at The George Hotel in Manzini yesterday.
The Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation (RESCorp), Ubombo Sugar Limited, TotalEnergies, Eswatini National Petroleum Company, Engen Eswatini, Eswatini Water Services Corporation (ESWSC), as well as Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC)are the companies in which the young future leaders were attached to for their job shadowing programme.
The learners concurred that although the programme was for a short space of time, they had learnt so much as it had been informative and beneficial.
Through Londiwe Mabila, the learners said they were at a point in their lives where they were making crucial career choices. They mentioned that the knowledge they had gained made them realise that the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field was the way to go. “We have learnt so much and we are glad for that. We have also learnt on the amazing goals the energy sector has; which are to conserve energy and ensure that people have access to reliable energy,” the pupils said.
They elaborated that they had also learnt to ensure the safety of all those within the access of energy, and this was achieved through first-aid training of staff members, as well as conducting a brief meeting called HIRA, before a task was carried out.
The learners highlighted that the programme enabled them to understand theories they learnt in high school at a deeper level, as they were made more practical in the different companies. “These include; the use of transformers to decrease voltage from high to low voltage, which makes it usable to appliances,” the pupils said.
efficient
They highlighted that another was the use of motors to drive water pumps in irrigation. They added that they had also learnt the different irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation. The learners shared that they had been taught on the importance of ensuring that all appliances were efficient to ensure that all energy was conserved.
“We are also aware of the challenges faced in the energy sector and we aim to eradicate them. The programme has also provided worthwhile work experience at prestigious companies, which we will surely need before we go to the workplace officially,” they quipped.
Observing artisans and electricians solve electrical problems had indeed inspired them to become the same; whether male or female, according to the learners. They mentioned that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy had indeed achieved its goal in attracting more young women into the STEM field. The pupils attested that they had also formed great networks and received wonderful advice from supervisors.
They conveyed their appreciation to all parties involved and encouraged the ministry to continue conducting such programmes as they laid a great foundation for all learners and those who had completed high school. “We are grateful for the opportunity and we look forward to returning to those companies we have been attached to work there and improve the country’s living standard,” they said.
Meanwhile, Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Jabulani Mabuza congratulated the learners for making a good decision by choosing the STEM career field that most learners shied away from.
Mabuza said the job shadowing was just the beginning of the journey in pursuit of their career choices. “It takes courage and determination to shape your future towards your desired goals irrespective of your background. Everyone has the potential to attain his or her aspirations in life provided you make the right choices in life,” the minister said.
He went on to share that the national unemployment rate stood at 33.3 per cent, while youth unemployment was as high as 58.2 per cent. He said graduates in the STEM field had higher chances of being absorbed by industry and with the right qualifications, they were usually employed within six months.
GratituDe
Minister Mabuza extended his gratitude to the companies for generously hosting the learners during the job shadowing exercise. He requested that the companies’ support may remain available even when they returned for their internship programme and as graduate trainees. He also expressed appreciation to JA Eswatini for a job well done. He said this would, in essence, make a remarkable contribution to the career aspirations of the pupils as they were the future of the country.
The minister also appreciated World Bank for considering that there were gender inequalities and providing funding for the gender mainstreaming initiative in the energy sector. “This is an effort towards increasing girls’ enrolment in the STEM career path, hence the higher ratio of girls in this job shadowing programme,” he explained.
He urged the Ministry of Education and Training and the
Deputy Prime Minister’s Office to continue with the partnership that exist towards closing the gender gap in the energy sector.
Minister of Education and Training Lady Mabuza, who was represented by Director of Education Lenhle Dlamini, alluded to that through the World Bank’s Network Reinforcement Access Project component on mainstreaming gender into the energy sector’s activities, one of which was the attachment of learners for job shadowing, the ministry saw an opportunity to strengthen some of its already existing gender responsive STEM education programmes.
The minister highlighted that the National Education Sector Policy of 2018 acknowledged that girls and women were under-represented in the areas of STEM, as well as future vocational and academic specialisations in the field.
“The ministry is forever grateful to the companies that opened their doors to the young people to have a 10 days’ experience of the work environment, particularly in the energy sector, and I believe some interest in pursuing STEM-related careers has been rekindled by such an opportunity among these young people,” the minister said.
She further applauded the partnership the ministry had with its sister ministries and partners, which sought to guide the life of the liSwati child in making one of the most important decisions in life; that of choosing a career path. She said the event testified to that partnership.