FOCUSING its corporate social investment projects on youth and education, industrial gas company, Air Products, improves schools in the communities in which the company operates. Most recently, a civil technology, engineering and graphic design workshop was completed at the Sesiyabonga Technical High School in Newcastle. The original building burnt down some years ago and considering the lost opportunity to teach valuable technical skills, Air Products funded the rebuilding of the workshop.
The project is not the first of its kind at this school. In 2020 the hospitality kitchen was renovated and electrical equipment was donated. This was followed by the renovation of the science laboratory and the donation of science kits for learners in 2022.
The school’s principal Mr Motloung; Newcastle Municipality Speaker, councillor Zulu; and the Department of Education district director, Mr Nzama, shared their gratitude towards Air Products for the work done at the school. They highlighted the importance of financial assistance from businesses in the area.
Chairperson of Air Products’ corporate social investment (CSI) committee, Arthi Govender, explains: “One of our major production facilities is based in Newcastle, and we have been assisting various schools and other organisations over the years. Due to the Sesiyabonga Technical High School being a technical school, there are synergies with Air Products’ business operations, and as a result, funds were allocated to the school specifically for this workshop project”.
Govender further explains that the company is inundated with requests from schools for financial assistance as many parents are unable to pay school fees due to socio-economic factors. Govender said: “As a corporate business, we assist within local communities and want to make a difference. We believe that by providing the necessary equipment and infrastructure, we also provide a form of motivation and upliftment”.
During his address, Air Products MD, Rob Richardson, said that he is particularly excited about this school, as technical skills are extremely important in the engineering industry. Richardson concluded by saying: “We trust that our contributions at Sesiyabonga will encourage learners to make the most of this wonderful opportunity to learn technical skills as it will stand them in good stead in the future”.
