TEVETA Sponsors Eight Lecturers for CNC Training in South Africa
The Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) has sponsored eight lecturers to undergo specialised training in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining at the Production Technologies Association of South Africa (PtSA) Centre of Excellence.
Speaking during the send-off ceremony, TEVETA Director General, Cleophas Takaiza, said the training was a strategic investment aimed at supporting Zambia’s manufacturing sector.
“CNC machines produce a wide range of products that end up on our shelves by empowering citizens with skills to make finished products. The investment in capacity building ensures trainers are competent in operating these machines for both training and production,” Mr Takaiza explained.
He added that the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programmes were funded through the Skills Development Levy (SDL) to align technical and vocational training with the evolving needs of industry. While the Ministry of Technology and Science had already procured CNC machines for training institutions, some lecturers lacked the technical expertise to use them effectively.
“Our intervention is part of the Ministry’s vision to transform Vocational Training Institutes into production centres that can contribute to meeting community needs,” Mr Takaiza said.
Team Leader, Engineer Renee Chabu Ngobela, praised the initiative, noting that the training would enable lecturers to maximise the potential of CNC machines and related equipment in training institutions.
“With enhanced trainer capacity, production units in our institutions will be improved by effectively utilising CNC technology for both teaching and local production,” Eng Ngobela stated.
CNC machines are advanced tools used in modern manufacturing to cut, drill, shape, and finish materials such as metal, plastic, wood, and composites with exceptional precision.
