WIND TURBINE TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL YOUTH

For Fabian Sarels (24) from Botrivier, exposure to the wind energy sector through his father sparked an early interest, but like many young people from his community, access to opportunities remained out of reach until now.

Fabian is one of three young electricians selected to take part in an eight-month Wind Turbine Service Technician training programme funded by Klipheuwel Wind Farm.The programme is designed not only to enhance technical skills but to create meaningful access to opportunities within the growing renewable energy sector.

“During a school break, I visited a wind farm where my father worked. That experience gave me my first close-up exposure to the environment and sparked my interest in the industry,” Fabian explains. “But financial constraints prevented me from pursuing this path sooner.”

Joining Fabian in the latest intake are Lukho Baliso (21) and Zipho Booi (35), both from Grabouw. Now in it’s third year, the initiative has supported seven local beneficiaries since its launch in 2024, targeting youth from communities across Botrivier, Caledon, Grabouw, Tesselaarsdal, Riviersonderend and Villiersdorp.

At its core, the programme is not only about skills development, it is about unlocking access.

“I was aware of the wind farms, but I didn’t realise there were accessible pathways for someone from my background to get involved,” says Lukho Baliso.

The selected trainees, all of whom already hold relevant technical qualifications, are now gaining specialised, industry-aligned skills through training delivered by the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre, a division of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

The programme includes six months of theoretical and practical training, followed by a two-month workplace experiential learning phase hosted on-site at Klipheuwel Wind Farm, providing participants with valuable real-world exposure. Upon completion, trainees will receive an accredited Occupational Certificate from the Quality Council of Trades and Occupations.

According to Sinovuyo Shoco, Economic Development Specialist at Klipheuwel Wind Farm, the initiative is playing a critical role in bridging the gap between local talent and industry opportunity.

“The success of the programme over the last two years has highlighted the important role skills development plays in preparing local youth for opportunities within South Africa’s growing renewable energy sector,” says Shoco. “For many young people, careers in renewable energy are still relatively unfamiliar, which makes access to industry-relevant training especially impactful.”