By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Supplied
Seen Here: Celebrating skills, opportunity and achievement during Youth Month, Engen proudly honoured 21 newly qualified artisans at a graduation ceremony held in Durban on 10 June 2026. The graduates successfully completed a three-year apprenticeship programme in Electrical, Mechanical Fitting and Instrumentation trades, equipping them with industry-recognised qualifications and valuable workplace experience to help build South Africa’s future workforce. Photo Credit: Supplied
DURBAN – As South Africa commemorates Youth Month, Engen has marked the occasion by celebrating the graduation of 21 newly qualified artisans who have successfully completed a rigorous three-year apprenticeship programme designed to combat youth unemployment and address the country’s critical skills shortage.
The graduation ceremony, held in Durban on 10 June, honoured the achievements of the young artisans who began their apprenticeship journey in May 2023 and completed the programme at the end of April 2026.
The initiative forms part of Engen’s broader commitment to skills development and youth empowerment, equipping unemployed young South Africans with valuable technical expertise and practical workplace experience in high-demand fields.
Building Skills for South Africa’s Future
The apprenticeship programme combined classroom-based theoretical instruction with extensive workplace training in accordance with the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) requirements.
Over the three-year period, learners completed nine months of practical training and three months of theoretical studies annually, gaining critical industry exposure while developing specialist technical competencies.
All 21 apprentices completed their workplace training at the Engen Durban Marine Terminal in the Island View industrial precinct and successfully passed external trade test examinations to qualify as artisans.
In a notable achievement, every apprentice who enrolled in the programme in 2023 completed the course successfully.
The graduating class consists of:
- 7 Electrical Artisans
- 7 Mechanical Fitting Artisans
- 7 Instrumentation Artisans
Women Breaking Barriers in Technical Fields
One of the standout features of this year’s graduating cohort is the strong representation of women.
Of the 21 graduates, 11 are women, accounting for more than half of the class and reflecting Engen’s ongoing efforts to promote gender diversity and inclusion within traditionally male-dominated technical industries.
The programme specifically targets unemployed youth under the age of 35, providing participants with monthly stipends, practical work experience, and industry-recognised qualifications that significantly improve their employment prospects.
By graduation, participants have accumulated nearly two-and-a-half years of workplace experience, positioning them as highly employable professionals ready to contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Seen Here: Engen marks Youth Month by celebrating 21 newly qualified artisans, demonstrating its commitment to skills development, youth empowerment and building a stronger South African economy. Photo Credit: Supplied
Turning Potential into Expertise
Engen Talent and Development Manager, Andiswa Mkhize, said the programme demonstrates the transformative power of investing in young people.
“In a country facing a critical shortage of skilled professionals, we continue to witness the remarkable transformation of potential into expertise,” said Mkhize.
“These young graduates stand as beacons of hope and exemplify the true spirit of youth empowerment. By equipping them with world-class technical skills, we are making a meaningful contribution to South Africa’s efforts to combat high unemployment. In doing so, we turn ambition into opportunity and help build a more resilient and self-sufficient economy that will benefit generations to come.”
Investing in Sustainable Employment
Engen General Manager: Human Resources, Riana Ohlson, highlighted the importance of creating pathways to meaningful employment through targeted skills development initiatives.
“At Engen, we believe that creating opportunities for young people through skills development is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in South Africa’s future,” said Ohlson.
“Programmes such as our artisan apprenticeship not only help address critical skills shortages but also open pathways to sustainable employment and long-term economic participation.
“We are especially encouraged by the strong representation of women among this year’s graduates, reflecting our commitment to building a more inclusive and diverse technical workforce.”
A National Imperative
Artisan development remains a national priority, with skilled artisans recognised among South Africa’s most critical and scarce occupational categories.
Engen Skills Development Facilitator, Pontsho Matshediso, emphasised the importance of aligning skills development programmes with industry requirements.
“Creating employment through targeted skills development is not just a business strategy, it’s a national imperative,” said Matshediso.
“We are committed to nurturing tomorrow’s talent while meeting today’s industry needs by providing both theoretical and real-world experience that positions young people for success in a competitive job market.”
Matshediso added that investing in scarce and critical skills contributes not only to stronger industries but also to stronger communities through meaningful employment opportunities.
Alternative Pathways to Success
The apprenticeship programme also serves as a practical alternative to traditional university education by combining academic learning with extensive workplace experience.
While many graduates enter the labour market with primarily theoretical knowledge, Engen’s apprenticeship model ensures participants qualify with both industry-recognised credentials and substantial hands-on experience.
As South Africa reflects on the legacy of Youth Month and the role young people continue to play in shaping the nation’s future, Engen’s latest graduating class stands as a testament to the power of skills development, opportunity creation, and investment in the country’s next generation of skilled professionals.
Through apprenticeships, learnerships, bursaries, and graduate development programmes, Engen continues to play a meaningful role in building a skilled workforce capable of driving South Africa’s economic growth and future prosperity.
