BOMBARDIER CELEBRATES THE COMPLETION OF THE SECOND WOMEN'S LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME

To a group of 39 women learners, their graduation ceremony on 7 April marked the beginning of a journey to uncover their true potential.

These women completed Bombardier Transportation’s annual learnership programme designed to provide women from previously marginalised backgrounds with new opportunities. The learnership programme equips them with qualifications and employment within Bombardier and its subcontractors, including Siemens, Omega, Isithimela Rail Services, Tractionel as well as the training service provider, Mitanoya Training College.

“I’m very happy today, I finally have a qualification!” said Mpumi Ndaba, a learner who was employed at Bombardier as a switchboard controller before completing her Business Administration learnership. After her graduation, she was promoted to a document control clerk. Other learners completed Wiring, Electrical and Mechanical modules.

Of the 39 graduates, 33 were previously unemployed while six were already employed at various companies. Some learners will continue with the programme to advance to National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 3 qualifications.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Dave Barry, Vice President of Bombardier Transportation said: “Today marks the beginning of all you can be and Bombardier is honoured to have given you a fresh start with this learnership programme.”

Bombardier’s learning programme, which was launched in 2008, leads to the awarding of NQF qualifications. Learners have to demonstrate applied competence showing a basic understanding of one or more fields’ or disciplines’ key concepts and knowledge, in addition to the fundamental areas of study. Competency is also measured through various exercises that include testing for an ability to use acquired knowledge to select appropriate procedures to solve problems within given parameters.

Bombardier is designing and supplying the Gautrain fleet of 96 BOMBARDIER ELECTROSTAR vehicles, BOMBARDIER CITYFLO 250 train control, communications and power supply and distribution systems, automatic fare collection, trackwork, and maintenance equipment, as well as providing systems engineering and integration, project management, test and commissioning, and up to 15 years of maintenance services.