Warrant Officer Class 2 Enrico Trevor Christo Saulse is currently working at Air Force Base Ysterplaat in the post of Warrant Officer in charge of the Airfield Maintenance Section for the past 18 years. His mustering is Construction Worker Civil.
Born on the 3rd of April 1974 in Beaufort West, both his parents were teachers and he ecstatically announces that he had a, “fairly happy and good childhood”. He added, “I have tried to follow up in my parents’ footsteps of always wanting to improve myself educationally. I matriculated in 1991 at Spes Bona Senior Secondary School in Cape Town. Thereafter I went on to study at Peninsula Technikon in Bellville (now known as CPUT) in 1992 for a National Diploma in Civil Engineering. In 1993 I had to go and work in the Construction Industry for Experiential (In-service) training for 1 year at Brink & Heath Civils in Cape Town. I gained valuable experience as a learner technician since then.
One of my most unforgettable experiences was when I worked on an exciting construction project that was the first of its kind, constructing the first K53-DrivingTest Ground situated in Stikland near Bellville in Cape Town. Unbeknown to me that in 1997 I would be one of those constructing the first K53-Driving Test Ground in the South African Air Force, 68 Air School, in Pretoria. That was my second significant construction work at that young age, just a few years after democracy.”
He joined the South African Air Force in 1994. He said, “I was trained as an Artisan in the mustering trade of Construction Worker Civil. In the military, there are many roles that we in the Civil Construction trade fulfil. The main function of a Construction Worker Civil Tradesman is to construct and maintain the runways utilised for the South African Air Force aircraft to land and take off safely. We do the inspection of the entire airfield early every morning before any flying activities can take place and declare the airfield safe if it is. The other important function is to construct and maintain the gravel parade grounds in the whole South African National Defence Force.”
Other passions that consume his time include reading interesting literature in Civil Engineering and Project Management material as he is currently studying toward a 3-year National Diploma in Project Management. He further added that “I also enjoy watching live sports on television and I also enjoy the atmosphere at the sports stadium. I play tennis as my favourite sport regularly and I also compete in tournaments. My daughter is my biggest fan, she doesn’t know that I find inspiration from her as well. My parents would be super proud of her for pursuing her Master’s Degree in Biotechnology. Her work ethic is reflected in her excellent marks and I see why my parents always made education fashionable whenever they could.
I also do my bit to make construction work fashionable for today’s youth by teaching those that are interested how to operate construction equipment, they look big and muddy but there would be no infrastructure to enjoy if those machines weren’t there. I motivate them to learn all the different construction trades under civil construction that include bricklaying, plastering, tiling, painting and learning how to read construction plans. Once one aces these sought-after trades, it becomes easy to grow and become a foreman that supervises and motivates the workforce to get the desired results. The adage that says, “Education is Power” is more relevant today than it ever was. It broadens our knowledge and gives us the necessary skill sets to become the best in the trades we choose to specialise in.
Last semester, my belly laughed when I received my results and found that I have a distinction for one of my subjects, it is true, we are never too old to learn.” Warrant Saulse dreams of being in charge of a big construction project that would showcase his experience in project management. He still loves the patriotism, unity, financial stability and sense of belonging that comes with being in the military. “We need more females in the construction mustering and we can achieve that by creating a learning environment with a lot of opportunities for youth in skills development and trade-related training.
This will give them a sense of worth and pride in seeing their projects completed and aiming for more to learn. Our youth must just be mentored, coached and motivated into pursuing all the skill-based careers that this country has to offer. One of the causes of unemployment the world overviews is, not having the necessary skills and experience to apply for various jobs, if people can stop looking down on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges, their role is immeasurable now that they are strengthened and expanded countrywide since 2014, they should be viewed as the prestigious institutions that any other academic institutions are because much can be learnt there to meet the needs of the current economy.
They shouldn’t be perceived as a second option by societal standards, when students do not make it to/in the university, they would then go to TVET Colleges. What many do not know is that these Colleges harbour the necessary skills that are going to transform and contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of this country and assist this country’s development. With these skills, many can even create jobs on their own and employ others as artisans who can assist the needs of the industry, constantly adapting and the forward moving of this country’s infrastructure during this 4th Industrial Revolution.”
He is proud to have trained many Construction Workers and Civil Artisans in the South African Air Force and seen them all through their qualifying examinations. “It is a great feeling that I will cherish forever. The other achievement that I am so very proud of is that I have received the Warrant Officer of the year award at Air Force Base Ysterplaat 3 times, (in 2006, 2010 & 2014). I always keep abreast of new techniques to keep my skills relevant so as to respond to today’s demands. I am always ready to learn new methods and new technology, so as to gain more knowledge and to better my experience. I also readily share my knowledge with new recruits by giving them thorough training. I am a very patient Warrant Officer who is said to be helpful with a positive mindset.”
Article by Captain Tebogo August, Ad Astra Magazine and Photographs by Warrant Officer Class 2 Enrico Saulse.
