世界大教South Africa hosts second National Competition

南非年轻人有职业范围的年轻人展示了自己的技能，并通过参加一场世界大教徒的南非民族竞赛来改变他们的生活，该比赛对国家青年的驱动力和才华占有关注。

The National Competition saw 122 Competitors showcase their abilities across 22 skills– from Electric Installations and Mechatronics to IT Network Systems and Cooking. The event identified the country’s representatives for WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017, and emphasized its goal of fostering a new generation of artisans.

比赛的强度不仅使竞争对手的技术专长进行了测试，而且还挑战了他们在压力下工作，保持纪律和专注，并在管理时间的同时解决问题。不管他们是否获得奖牌，参加的人之间的压倒性情绪是相同的 - 他们的世界技能经历有助于塑造他们的未来。

The 2017 edition was the second National Skills Competition to be held in South Africa – one of 77 countries and regions that are Members of WorldSkills International - and reflected the country’s recognition of the essential place vocational skills and trades must occupy in its economic and social fabric.

As Dr. Bonginkosi Emmanuel Nzimande, South Africa’s Minister for Higher Education and Training, outlined at the Opening Ceremony, “Skills are, and will remain, central as we develop and refine our capacity as an industrial country and expand our worldwide trading links.”

“这一关键活动将有助于提高和发展我们年轻人的技能，并增加我们在能力和知识中赋予他们能力的努力，这将使他们成为我们工业经济中的充分和富有成效的参与者。”

世界大教South Africa is among the government-led projects aiming to expand the country’s TVET Colleges sector, with a particular focus on artisanal skills. With South Africa having a target of nurturing 30,000 artisans annually by 2030 – its current figure is 16,000 per year - such colleges were at the forefront of the three-day Competition, where 140 experts and judges provided expert guidance to the young contestants.

Tayla Schou, who earned a position on Team South Africa for WorldSkills São Paulo 2015 and is now a representative on the WorldSkills Champions Trust, said this year’s Competition saw more Competitors and more skills than ever before.

"The atmosphere during the Competition was intense, with hundreds of youth focusing their talents to come out on top,” she said. "My personal highlight was that we had so many woman in traditionally male dominated trades, and males in female dominated trades earning medals. This really shows me that the path to gender equality is lit in South Africa, and can only improve."

Among such Competitors was Mathebula Nonhlanhla Angel, 21, who scooped a silver medal in the welding category, and summed up her experience in one word – “Unforgettable”.

Mathebula’s long-held passion for welding grew when she learned of a shortage of skills in this sector, and a lack of female welders. "Being part of the Competition has given me wonderful knowledge as a young artisan,” she said.

"To represent South African women was a really great feeling, and the Competition has enabled me to gain self-confidence, be strong and stand on my own, and gain good exposure to a growing industry. From this, I can see a bright future in front of me.”

Nosipho Thando Pearl Khumalo stood out in her category – Car Painting – as the only female Competitor. She stood out even further when she won the gold medal.

“Participating in this event has been the greatest challenge, and the best experience, of my life,” she smiled. “I’d never really competed before, so to not only do this but to excel at it has been amazing.

Her first taste of painting came when working for aviation experts Aerosud, with the National Skills Competition entering her radar when she was accepted for a painting apprenticeship at South African Airways. But she “never imagined in a million years” that she would take first place in her skill.

“It made me feel like a queen in a man’s world!” she said. “It has helped me to believe in myself and realize I can do anything I put my mind to.”

Together with his team-mate Angelique Jordaan, 22-year-old Dewald Oostewald Brand overcame all comers in Mechatronics, as a lifelong affinity with engineering – particularly robotics and intelligent systems – translated into competitive success and an “incredible experience”.

“We received great training and support during our preparation, giving us a level of confidence we couldn’t have done without,” he said. “And after all the hard work and long hours we put into that preparation, it was a very proud and satisfying moment when we were announced as the winners in our skill.

“ WorldSkills是世界青年展示自己技能的平台。它为喜欢与双手合作的年轻人提供了对自己所做的事情的自豪感，并拥有难忘的经历”

And, as Angelique explained, all roads now lead to Abu Dhabi, and the WorldSkills stage. “The National Competition was a life-changing experience in itself,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 will bring us.”