Uitenhage youngster Brando Welgemoed has proved that no problem is too big as he put the Eastcape Midlands TVET College on the map – winning a gold medal at the national WorldSkills competition.
Held at the Durban International Convention Centre in late February, the South African leg of the WorldSkills competition was set up to find the South African champion, who will now compete globally.
WorldSkills organises the world championships of vocational skills, a competition that is held every two years in different parts of the world.
The organisation, which also hosts conferences about vocational skills, describes itself as the global hub for skills.
The competition encourages advanced skills in web design, IT network systems administration, welding, automobile technology and electrical installations.
Welgemoed, 20, competed in the IT network systems administration category against 13 national entrants.
They were expected to use Linex, Windows and Cisco to set up a network and connect printers and cameras on the network domain.
Welgemoed said his passion for IT dated back to when he was still a child, curious about computers and other gadgets.
So when the opportunity came to enter, he took it as a personal challenge.
“I didn’t expect to win. I am very excited to have won the nationals because it will open a lot of doors for me and in my career,” he said.
Welgemoed will now compete in the international competition, which will be held in Kazan, Russia, in August.
“I am even more eager to travel to Russia because it will be my first time travelling abroad,” he said.
The national WorldSkills expert who evaluated the competitors will continue to guide Welgemoed as he prepares for the international competition.
Welgemoed is currently doing his last year in IT networking systems.
His IT lecturer at Eastcape Midlands, Moses Mokhatholane, said he was very proud of his student’s achievement.
Mokhatholane said the college had entered two competitors, but only one had proceeded through all the tests.
He said the college would continue to assist Welgemoed during his preparations for the international competition.
Welgemoed will be competing alongside 1,600 young people from around the world aiming to become the world champions in 56 different skills.