A new programme to train young entrepreneurs in the automotive industry opened its doors in Fort Jackson, Mdantsane yesterday.The programme, which offers on the job training in the tyre, windscreen and battery fitment and replacement industry, will help entrepreneurs start their own businesses. The plan is to 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.
The centre consists of a tyre and wheel specialist business, windscreen specialist, battery fitment specialist and a kiosk.
Known as the Buffalo City Automotive Aftermarket Incubator, it was set up by the provincial Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), in partnership with Buffalo City Metro (BCM) and the Eastern Cape Development Centre (ECDC), with support from the economic development department and the Jobs Fund.
Speaking at the launch held at the facility yesterday, BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi said the initiative came at a time when the country and the world faced challenges of economic and financial decline.
“The focus is upon municipalities, especially metros, to serve as centres of economic growth,” said Mtsi.
The mayor also spoke about the challenges faced by budding entrepreneurs who sought loans from banks to start their ventures, only to be turned down.
“Banks perceive poor and unskilled people as high-risk and thus they often turn them down when they seek funding.
“To avoid this pitfall the incubator programme uses a different model in that it offers on-the-job training and the mentors remain with the business until it starts to fly,” said Mtsi.
One of the entrepreneurs is Khakalethu Mbete, 30, a qualified mechanical engineer from Mdantsane. Mbete will be running a tyre and wheel replacement and fitment centre.
“My plan is to use this training to become a dominant player in the tyre market in Mdantsane, and also to create jobs and transfer skills to others,” said Mbete.
AIDC project director Fred Weatherall-Thomas said: “The idea was that after three years of trading the new businesses will stand on their own, with the resources provided to them now released to assist in the creation of other new businesses.” — arethal@dispatch.co.za
Chance for automotive entrepreneurs to flourish
The programme, which offers on the job training in the tyre, windscreen and battery fitment and replacement industry, will help entrepreneurs start their own businesses. The plan is to 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.
The centre consists of a tyre and wheel specialist business, windscreen specialist, battery fitment specialist and a kiosk.
Known as the Buffalo City Automotive Aftermarket Incubator, it was set up by the provincial Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), in partnership with Buffalo City Metro (BCM) and the Eastern Cape Development Centre (ECDC), with support from the economic development department and the Jobs Fund.
Speaking at the launch held at the facility yesterday, BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi said the initiative came at a time when the country and the world faced challenges of economic and financial decline.
“The focus is upon municipalities, especially metros, to serve as centres of economic growth,” said Mtsi.
The mayor also spoke about the challenges faced by budding entrepreneurs who sought loans from banks to start their ventures, only to be turned down.
“Banks perceive poor and unskilled people as high-risk and thus they often turn them down when they seek funding.
“To avoid this pitfall the incubator programme uses a different model in that it offers on-the-job training and the mentors remain with the business until it starts to fly,” said Mtsi.
One of the entrepreneurs is Khakalethu Mbete, 30, a qualified mechanical engineer from Mdantsane. Mbete will be running a tyre and wheel replacement and fitment centre.
“My plan is to use this training to become a dominant player in the tyre market in Mdantsane, and also to create jobs and transfer skills to others,” said Mbete.
AIDC project director Fred Weatherall-Thomas said: “The idea was that after three years of trading the new businesses will stand on their own, with the resources provided to them now released to assist in the creation of other new businesses.” — arethal@dispatch.co.za
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