By Nangamso Mabindla
02 October 2007

HUNDREDS of learners filled Bhisho Airport, where the Transport Sector Careers Exhibition was held on Monday, 1 October.

The Eastern Cape's programme for Public Transport Month was also launched.

Hosted by the provincial department of roads and transport, the day was aimed at encouraging youngsters to consider careers in the transport industry.

Universities, colleges and transport organisations were included in the exhibition, which looked at ways young people could enter the sector. Exhibitors included Walter Sisulu University (WSU), Nelson Mandela Metro University (NMMU), AV8 Helicopters, Algoa Bus Services, the Provincial Youth Commission and Port Alfred's Air 43 School.

Speaking at the launch, the MEC for roads and transport, Thobile Mhlahlo, said that there was a shortage of technical skills in the country. "These scarce skills are a major challenge, especially in the engineering, rail, aviation, maritime and transport economic fields."

This shortage had led his department to establish partnerships with various stakeholders, particularly institutions of higher learning, for building and growing transport sector skills.

"This Transport Sector Careers Exhibition forms part of a multi-pronged approach that we have adopted to ensure that we mobilise our youth, especially from our rural communities, to consider the transport sector as a career path," he said, adding that the provincial government wanted to end the scourge of poverty in the Eastern Cape by investing in its youth.

Projects like the reviving of rail lines throughout the country and the setting up of an aviation training school at Bhisho Airport would encourage young people to consider careers in the transport industry.

"We are making visible and decisive advances in the opening of opportunities in the rail sector, from which I believe that many young people of the Eastern Cape stand to gain," Mhlahlo said.

"Our Back to Rail strategy will be supported by a massive capacity-building programme which we are going to run jointly with WSU, NMMU and rail experts from the Netherlands, at the Rail Centre of Excellence that we are going to open."

Chuma Mphahlwa, from the national Department of Transport, said that with 90 percent of cargo being carried by ships, there were many opportunities for Eastern Cape youngsters in the marine industry. Road and rail were used to transport cargo inland, he said, emphasising the links in the sector.

"This province has three ports - in Ngqurha, Port Elizabeth and East London - and this shows that there are a lot of opportunities in this sector for young Eastern Cape learners."

Mphahlwa also spoke about challenges to the industry, saying that despite the country's 3 000 kilometre-long coastline, its maritime industry was some way behind that of other countries.

"We have a challenge to develop our maritime industry into a world-class industry. That is why there are so many investment opportunities to be explored by students, especially those from previously disadvantaged communities."

The University of Cape Town and the Peninsula Technikon offered degree and diploma courses in maritime engineering and instrument engineering. There were also courses offered for boiler operators, oceanographers, and port planners.