23 Oct 2024

Selebi Phikwe Technical College (SPTECO) and Selebi Phikwe Multi-Cooperative Society have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will foster sharing of knowledge and resources.

The college principal, Mr Victor Manyanda said the agreement would give the students the opportunity to use the skills they acquired to maintain buildings owned by the cooperative thereby gaining practical exposure and experience.

He said the five-year collaboration would allow students to apply their practical and theoretical knowledge in real-life projects under the guidance of experienced professionals. 

He added that it would also enhance the skills and competencies of students by exposing them to industry practices and standards.

For his part, the board chairperson of Selebi Phikwe Multi-Cooperative Society, Mr Peter Sekgwama said the collaboration was the beginning of a fruitful relationship between the two organisations.

In addition to  giving students experience in the maintenance of buildings, the collaboration would serve as a cost cutting measure by the cooperative.

Mr Sekgwama said the understanding was also a mindset change exercise that would see  stakeholders contributing to the growth of the cooperative.

With over 900 active members, he said, the cooperative was one of the oldest that also dealt in real estate. 

“We own a number of buildings in town which we have leased to different organisations and businesses,” he said.

Mr Sekgwama noted that prior to the agreement they had engaged private companies to maintain their buildings. He added that it was time they contributed meaningfully to the education sector by offering students the opportunity to provide maintenance services as part of their studies.

He said government alone could not improve the quality of education and that the cooperative should come on board to help. He was also confident that the agreement would improve the society’s buildings and profits. Ends