The first batch of pilots – 17 helicopter pilots and 20 marine pilots – graduated from Transnet’s Maritime School of Excellence last week, demonstrating their newfound skills on the left at the Port of Durban in a graduation ceremony hosted by public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba, chairman of the Transnet SOC Board, Mafika Mkwanazi, and the company’s group chief executive, Brian Molefe. The helicopter pilots, who achieved both private and commercial licences, will be flying marine pilots to the vessels. This is the first time Transnet has taken ownership of training and employing its own aviation pilots. Speaking at the ceremony, Gigaba said: “Increasing access to training and skills development opportunities is an economic imperative for us. We expect Transnet to train beyond its business requirements in support of government initiatives to address the challenges of skills shortage and mismatch.”
