By Benjamin Brits
The Open Trade Training Centre (OTTC) celebrated with another group of graduates in the ammonia technician qualification on 12 November 2020 at their training facility in Springs, Gauteng.
In the traditional style of celebrating the graduates, Isolde Dobelin, owner of the training centre, used the opportunity to say a few words, sharing some of her own views and experiences, but also offering some apt advice and encouragement to the learners as they continue on their journey going forward.
Dobelin firmly stands by the culture of the training centre to have a small function every time there is a group of graduates because each person must be recognised for their achievement. Although the coronavirus pandemic has limited the attendance at these ceremonies, the principle of issuing a certificate remains highly important for the centre.
“I commend all of the learners here today who have done very well – new future kings and a queen in ammonia have been grown. With an ammonia qualification you are recognised in the world, and this adds onto more than 400 ammonia graduates already having been issued certification through OTTC. Considering some of our first graduates, they are working locally and sometimes all over the world, while others participate in managing very big companies in the cold chain as they have progressed in their career over the years. If anyone with an ammonia qualification in unemployed, then this is their own fault because we will never sign off on any graduates if we are not 100% sure the learner has done enough to achieve this. Everyone here today has completed the assessment on their own and achieved the required results. Our methods are also known in the industry – graduates from our training centre who are employed come with the confidence that these people are well-equipped to do the jobs they need to,” said Dobelin.
Dobelin continued to share that, “Kurt Johannsen [the ammonia lecturer] is one of, if not possibly the best ammonia trainer in the world, and his supporting OTTC giving classes to the students, as well as Peter Hoetmer (who joined the centre back in 2003), offers students an exceptional opportunity with the knowledge and experience behind the training. You learn the best by being hands-on and building plants yourself. Then further testing and fault-finding and commissioning. It is therefore worth mentioning that Kurt has participated in building over 500 ammonia plants, so his experience is unquestioned and he is a true BSc Mech engineer from Denmark.”
Dobelin also shared more information about her vision that is fast becoming a reality with development set to start early in 2021 – OTTC Skills City Africa. This initiative will incorporate the opportunity for learners to become be multi-skilled. It will start off as a boarding school where learners can join from around the country or the world where they can stay for a long period.
It is believed that this planned city/artisanal training concept is currently a one-of-a-kind in the world that will be built on the premise of developing multi-skilled people within trades such as an electrician, refrigeration or HVAC technicians. The concept is driven by the fact that every trade is needed in any town, no matter the size, to support the community. Dobelin, in fact, comes from Sulzburg, a town in Germany that had a similar model where all the artisans take care of the town, and where her vision originated from.
“One of the major advantages of this city concept is that there is no crime because everyone knows each other. If someone does something wrong or misbehaves, the community puts that person right. This city will demonstrate that people can live and be self sufficient and it can be implemented or established anywhere. It will also show that there is a different path for South Africa where you can bring up our children in safety and happiness. The OTTC Skills City will also support the manufacturing sector and further everyone can have their own company if they choose where they can pay rent for the factory and support the community with a particular product. The whole city will be built and be maintained by the students themselves. There are so many possibilities even from a food sustainability aspect,” Dobelin added.
Offering some further insight into the business side of the world, Dobelin told the graduates that if they wanted to work for themselves they must also know that they would pay for their own mistakes, work overtime and wont be rich overnight like everyone always thinks - it’s a hard life but they can enjoy it as their own bosses in charge of their own choices. Having an open mind they could also learn many other skills and keep up with technology to offer clients accurate solutions according to their specifications.
In promoting participation in trade occupations, many people who experience life challenges such as dyslexia should not be undermined because it is proven time and time again that these people are highly intelligent in other aspects and excel at working with their hands. Dobelin added, “People cannot be judged poorly because they just cannot express themselves in one particular way, or the way society expects. Some of my best and brightest students have struggled with dyslexia for example, but go on to win international trade competitions or they are able to conceptualise and build complex plants in their minds without any computer assistance, and also progress very far in their careers. They have a different view and all they need is support to prove themselves. Everything comes back to one of my favourite sayings: “Where there is a will there is a way!” Dobelin then proceeded to issue the students with their certificates with the assistance of Kurt Johannsen.
The graduates were:
- Mutshidzi Maemu
- Obed Jonathan Mbangeni
- Calven Sizwe Mabunda
- Dirk Johannes Malan
- Lebohang Effort Nhlapo
- Lucky Senosi
- Khanyisile Priscilla Sibiya
After taking some photos and in high spirits, the students filled out their names and placed them proudly onto the ‘ammonia graduates tree’ that stands in the reception area of the OTTC office for all to see. The graduates then enjoyed some eats and drinks in celebration after the prize giving.
