The Automotive Industry Development Centre in partnership with Buffalo City Metro (BCM) and the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) are calling on entrepreneurs in the exhaust, battery, fitment and repair sectors to apply for an incubator programme that will help them start their own businesses.
The two incubator programmes in Mdantsane would be an addition to three existing programmes that have already been established in the project’s first phase at Fort Jackson, which will officially open for business early next month.
The programme, known as the Buffalo City Automotive Aftermarket Incubator, will create 51 temporary and 30 permanent jobs over a three-year period.
In addition, 43 people will receive training and skills pertinent to servicing the automotive aftermarket.
An advert in the Dispatch on Wednesday called for applications from local previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs that understand business, have a healthy credit record, are computer literate and possess people skills.
The successful candidate must be willing to partner with an existing multi-national or manage his or her own business in the automotive aftermarket sector under a license agreement.
The aftermarket sectors to be targeted are exhaust and battery sales, repair and fitment.
The advert said further that the programme would help start business by offering training, coaching and mentoring. It will provide resources that will eventually see the start-up company graduate out the incubator to become a stand-alone self-sustainable entity.
According to a press release sent to the Dispatch yesterday by the AIDC, funding for the programmes was successfully applied for from treasury’s Job Fund with the assistance of the provincial government. The funds will be managed by the AIDC in partnership with the BCM and ECDC.
The provincial acting CEO for AIDC, Gordon Brink, said the intention was to use the incubator as a pilot from which to develop incubators in rural Eastern Cape communities.
The incubator director, Fred Weatherall-Thomas, said the AIDC research showed significant economic opportunity and sustainability in aftermarket related businesses in Mdantsane.
“Location is important and with the assistance of the ECDC we have secured a 700m² building to house these developing businesses in the commercial centre of the area.”
The aim is the initial start-ups put through the incubator will be self-sustaining in three to five years, after which they will operate from the building which they will lease.
Brink said the incubator, which will also include a tyre fitment centre, windscreen and glass repairs and food kiosk was a “stunning model for true public private partnership.
“Sabat Batteries and other brands are investing into community with the prospect of later returns while AIDC Eastern Cape, on behalf of the Eastern Cape government, has developed a vacant mini-warehouse for the five businesses that would operate from the location and which will support the entrepreneurs in their new businesses.”
Applicants must send a detailed CV and one-page motivational letter to incubator@aidcec.co.za, or fax (041) 363-0762. Closing date for applications is January 25 2016. — arethal@dispacth.co.za
Auto sector hatches incubator plan
The two incubator programmes in Mdantsane would be an addition to three existing programmes that have already been established in the project’s first phase at Fort Jackson, which will officially open for business early next month.
The programme, known as the Buffalo City Automotive Aftermarket Incubator, will create 51 temporary and 30 permanent jobs over a three-year period.
In addition, 43 people will receive training and skills pertinent to servicing the automotive aftermarket.
An advert in the Dispatch on Wednesday called for applications from local previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs that understand business, have a healthy credit record, are computer literate and possess people skills.
The successful candidate must be willing to partner with an existing multi-national or manage his or her own business in the automotive aftermarket sector under a license agreement.
The aftermarket sectors to be targeted are exhaust and battery sales, repair and fitment.
The advert said further that the programme would help start business by offering training, coaching and mentoring. It will provide resources that will eventually see the start-up company graduate out the incubator to become a stand-alone self-sustainable entity.
According to a press release sent to the Dispatch yesterday by the AIDC, funding for the programmes was successfully applied for from treasury’s Job Fund with the assistance of the provincial government. The funds will be managed by the AIDC in partnership with the BCM and ECDC.
The provincial acting CEO for AIDC, Gordon Brink, said the intention was to use the incubator as a pilot from which to develop incubators in rural Eastern Cape communities.
The incubator director, Fred Weatherall-Thomas, said the AIDC research showed significant economic opportunity and sustainability in aftermarket related businesses in Mdantsane.
“Location is important and with the assistance of the ECDC we have secured a 700m² building to house these developing businesses in the commercial centre of the area.”
The aim is the initial start-ups put through the incubator will be self-sustaining in three to five years, after which they will operate from the building which they will lease.
Brink said the incubator, which will also include a tyre fitment centre, windscreen and glass repairs and food kiosk was a “stunning model for true public private partnership.
“Sabat Batteries and other brands are investing into community with the prospect of later returns while AIDC Eastern Cape, on behalf of the Eastern Cape government, has developed a vacant mini-warehouse for the five businesses that would operate from the location and which will support the entrepreneurs in their new businesses.”
Applicants must send a detailed CV and one-page motivational letter to incubator@aidcec.co.za, or fax (041) 363-0762. Closing date for applications is January 25 2016. — arethal@dispacth.co.za
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