Our History – Forged in Purpose

Athina's Artistry Welding Training Centre was born from a deep sense of purpose and a relentless drive to solve one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges: youth unemployment.

In 2004, founder Athina Dennis began researching what her country truly needed. With unemployment rising and job security uncertain, she committed to a career where she would not only be indispensable—but impactful. She chose welding and metalwork, a male-dominated industry, and never looked back.

Athina earned her Red Seal as a qualified welder at Actom John Thompson, and later pursued further studies in education, combining her technical skills with the ability to teach and inspire others. She worked in both the metal and engineering industry and as an educator under the Western Cape Education Department (WCED)—deliberately choosing to serve in the Cape Flats, the community she came from and remains deeply committed to.

Through her work, Athina saw a critical gap between education and the labour market. Too many young people, even those from private or public institutions, lacked the minimum requirements to access apprenticeships or learnerships. Opportunities were slipping through their fingers—not due to lack of potential, but lack of preparation and connection.

In response, Athina founded Athina’s Artistry Welding Training Centre a place where technical training meets mentorship, where classroom knowledge is aligned with industry demands, and where young people are equipped to not only qualify for apprenticeships but also to build businesses of their own.

This school exists to connect the dots between talent, training, and opportunity—and to transform South Africa’s youth from unemployed statistics into skilled professionals and entrepreneurs.