Deidre Samantha Petersen, a West Coast College Vredenburg Campus student, along with 13 other competitors from seven of the nine provinces in South Africa took part in the WorldSkills South Africa National Competition held in Durban from 7-10 June.
Petersen showed she is indeed a “torch” to be reckoned with, as she walked away with the bronze medal, claiming third place in welding skills. Her college colleague, Thaakirah Wilkens, took home fourth place.
Says Leon Koopman, expert in welding and lecturer at West Coast College Vredenburg Campus: “We as Team WorldSkills Western Cape and West Coast College are indeed very proud of Deidre for this wonderful honour that she has been given to be the third-best in her skill in the country and we too are happy for Thaakirah, who finished fourth.”
The two women took part in the Welding Skills Competition and represented the Western Cape WorldSkills Team who took home 11 medals in total.
“We are proud of everyone that had the opportunity to show their skills,” says Rhazia Hamza, West Coast College Deputy Principal of Innovation and Development and Western Cape WorldSkills Committee Chair, “and show that the Western Cape is indeed a skills force that will continue to produce skilled and qualified people and add value to the studies of our students.” The WorldSkills International Competition, which was scheduled to take place in China later this year, has been cancelled yet planning has already begun for the next provincial and national competition, which will take place in two years.
“I will never forget this experience and would like to thank everyone for their support during the training and the competition in Durban.
“I have learnt so much and know this experience is something I can take and build on in the future,” added Petersen.
