2. Mitchells Plain School of Skills started off as a mainstream Primary School (Weltevreden Primary School). In 2003, the staff members sought permission from the Western Cape Education Department to close the primary school and re-open as a school of skills. The Western Cape Education Department supported the idea and in 2007 the Mitchells Plain School of Skills was registered. The Western Cape Education Department spent R 5 million to build and resource three large workshops.