Local artisan to show off skills at global competition

Cape Town teenager Marvin Lottering will venture out of the country for the first time in July to represent South Africa at an international artisans competition.

His skills in drywall systems and plastering have earned him a place at the WorldSkills International Competition to be held in Leipzig, Germany. Lottering, 19, beat off stiff competition from other up-and-coming artisans in the regional and national competitions organised WorldSkills SA and supported by the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA).

Lottering is currently doing his National Certificate in Metal and Engineering Manufacturing Processes NQF Level 3 at the Saint-Gobain Construction Products Academy in Cape Town.

His studies are part of a learnership programme accredited by merSETA.

Lottering is ecstatic to have made it through all the regional and national competitions, emerging as the overall winner who will represent South Africa.

“I am very happy and excited to be representing my country, especially since it will be the first time that I will be travelling aboard,” he said.

Lottering said he has always enjoyed working with his hands and once he has completed his course he would like to start his own business.

Andre Vermeulen, a technical delegate with WorldSkills SA, explained that aim of the organisation was to boost the standard and status of vocational education and training both locally and globally.

WorldSkills SA invited training providers, businesses and colleges to enter participants under the age of 23 into the local the competition.

Vermeulen explained that the competition judged skills in construction and building technology, creative arts and fashion, information and communication technology, manufacturing and engineering technology, social and personal services, transportation and logistics.

Participants were expected to apply what they were currently learning during the competition.

He said based on response received, local and regional competitions were held to select a winner from each region or province to partake in the national event, at which Lottering came out tops.

Lottering will be mentored by various experts including industry experts, physiologists and nutritionists in preparation for the international competition.