Debswana Orapa Training Centre (OTC) recently snatched position one in the country’s Madirelo Trade and Testing Centre (MTTC) competitions with a 100 percent pass rate.
OTC, one of the 12 local institutions in the country that train apprentices, has won the competition for the past 10 consecutive years, according results released by MTTC. The institution conducts training in the fields of heavy plant mechanics, maintenance fitting and machining, welding and fabrication as well electrical and auto mechanics.
In an interview with the Sunday Standard, the Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) Training and Development Manager, Pierre du Plessis, said that the achievement was due to several factors such as hard work and enthusiasm displayed by both the learners and the trainers. Great team work spirit by the OLDM stakeholders and the safe working environment helped us win the completion for 10 years in a row. He also said that OTC is registered and accredited with the Botswana Training Authority (BOTA). The win was attributed to guidance and support of BOTA.
“Our relationship with the engineering function within the mines is equally important, and without the input of the engineering personnel right from recruitment through to coaching, mentoring and the assessment of the learners such excellence would not have been achieved,” said du Plessis.
Du Plessis said that at OTC, quality is a non-negotiable standard, adding that the institution is accredited with the Botswana Bureau of Standards ISO 9001/2008. He further said that the institution is audited each year by external auditors to ensure its products, processes and systems are of the highest international standards.
He added that Debswana’s human resources will continue with its efforts to provide the necessary support to the OTC and train apprentices who will contribute positively to the development of Botswana and to help Debswana deliver key business needs.
OTC enrolled its first apprentices in 1974 and has over 1150 fully qualified artisans. The institution also offers specialist training in a variety of technical fields such as hydraulics, pneumatics and specialist welding courses.
The centre is also an internationally registered examination centre for distance learning students over a broad spectrum of university degrees and diploma courses.
