About 100 apprentices with Denel Technical Academy are in limbo after the institution allegedly failed to have them undergo trade tests that would enable them to be employed.
The apprentices who seek to ply their trade as craft mechanics, electricians, fitters and turners, and welders were enrolled into a three-year apprenticeship with the institution in 2018.
Despite their monthly stipend of R5,500, the group have raised concerns about their careers, expressed fear of losing out on job opportunities as they are still to obtain trade certificates.
Sowetan spoke to some of the apprentices, who asked to remain anonymous.
A 28-year-old from Limpopo said he was supposed to get his trade test certificate this year but nothing has happened. "I am fitter and turner apprentice and have been with the academy since 2018.
"We tried seeking answers with Denel on numerous occasions as to why it was taking so long for our qualifications to be issued. Apparently, the academy is facing financial crisis," he said.
The apprentice, who stays in Kempton Park in Ekurhuleni, added that the aerospace and military technology company has also been struggling to pay their stipends in full in the last three months. "As a result I am struggling to pay rent or buy enough food for myself."
A 36-year-old man said he had to spend half of his stipend to support his father and child back home and was desperate to get employed permanently as a qualified professional. "There are job opportunities that come our way but without a trade test certificate we are stuck here," he said.
Some said they feel used as cheap labour by the state-owned entity which isn't prioritising getting them fully qualified.
Denel Training Academy spokesperson Pam Malinda said the academy was in communication with the students and will communicate a way forward today.
"The main cause of the delay has been the Covid-19 restrictions and the disruptions in the work schedules. However, the academy envisages that learners will complete their qualification by September this year.
Malinda said the academy management team has already informed the students on the process being followed for securing the trade preparation and trade test dates.
"Our supply chain department is at the final stages of securing a service provider to facilitate this process. The management team apologises for the interruption and delay in the process," Malinda said.
She said the students were currently working on "various ‘on-the-job-training sites' while we finalise their trade test dates".
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