Louis van Huyssteen, RMI National Training Director and member of the merSETA Accounting Authority, participated in a session at World Skills recently entitled “What makes an employer say ‘Yes, I want to hire this learner’ after a learnership or apprenticeship?”
Employers want practical workplace readiness
“In our sector, hiring decisions are highly practical,” says van Huyssteen. “Employers are looking beyond qualifications. They want to know whether a learner can function effectively in a real workshop environment from day one.”
Real workshop exposure improves employability
He emphasised that meaningful workplace exposure is a critical differentiator. Learners who have worked with diagnostic equipment, engaged with real vehicles, and navigated customer-related challenges are significantly more attractive to employers.
Centres of Specialisation show positive results
Van Huyssteen pointed to successful examples already in place, including Centres of Specialisation at institutions such as the College of Cape Town and Port Elizabeth TVET College, where strong workplace integration has resulted in positive employer feedback. “The model is working,” he notes. “The opportunity now is to replicate and scale what has already proven effective.”
Soft skills matter in workshop environments
Equally important, he said, are soft skills. “In small teams, attitude is everything. Reliability, a willingness to learn, and the ability to solve problems often outweigh theoretical knowledge alone.”
Bridging the gap between certification and competence
A key concern raised by industry is the growing disconnect between certification and practical competence. “One of the biggest dealbreakers for employers is when a learner has a qualification but very limited workplace exposure,” he explains. “This reinforces the need for training models that are firmly rooted in real work environments.”
Workplace-centred training is key to future skills development
“The future of skills development lies in bringing training closer to the workplace,” says van Huyssteen. “If we can reduce time away from the workplace while maintaining high training standards, we create a system that works for both employers and learners. Expanding workplace-centred apprenticeships will be critical to addressing the sector’s longer-term skills pipeline. We have seen a decline in the number of qualified artisans in recent years. Reversing this trend will require a collective effort to strengthen and scale practical, workplace-based training.”
