A NEW SOUND FOR KARABO
Looking back on our most challenging moments in life, we can see the doors that were opened that we seemed to stumble through, only to realise that this is where you were supposed to be all along. This is how it was for Karabo Senyane, who after losing her Mom, applied for a learnership at C3 Autobody Repair Academy after an encouraging friend suggested she should. She joined the programme and fell in love with spray painting.
“It challenges and strengthens my problem-solving skills,” says Karabo, who is now in her third year as an apprentice, and almost a qualified spray painter. She currently works for Safana Panelbeaters. “The training at C3 Autobody Repair Academy has helped me develop strong skills in spray painting techniques, colour mixing and matching, surface preparation including sanding and masking, and safety procedures.
Her greatest achievement so far has been knowing nothing about spray painting to becoming a trusted professional. After her first mentor left suddenly, Karabo was asked to take the lead which pushed her to develop team leadership and communication skills. She also had to take control of her quality skills to make sure panels were finished to high standards.
Amelia is her new mentor and has taught her valuable lessons in managing time, staying focused and producing neat work. Both of her mentors have shaped her in her journey, and she looks forward to being able to help nurture new talent in the industry at some stage as well.
Karabo’s future aspirations are to qualify, become an operations manager or facilitator and eventually own her own panel beating workshop. Her eye for detail and her strive for perfection on each job will surely equip her along the way.
Music and sound are still part of her passions as well – even though she hasn’t followed the original sound engineering path she thought she would take originally – and she continues to make music for fun in her life away from work.
Karabo’s problem solving under pressure capability, gratitude for all opportunities, and the ability to listen and learn, will surely take her far in her future in automotive repair.
By Claire Macfie
