Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) is investing R130-million in a new training academy to train artisans in a bid to curb youth unemployment.
Presenting annual results for the 2014 financial year at the MBSA Truck Store in Centurion near Pretoria yesterday, chief executive Arno van der Merwe said the company had signed an agreement with National Treasury to set up an academy, with a view to provide a pool of trained artisans for the company and its suppliers.
Construction is currently under way to extend MBSA’s current training centre on Settlers Way.
The company said it was working towards unveiling the centre, to be renamed Mercedes-Benz Learning Academy, towards the end of the year.
MBSA executive director of human resources Johann Evertse said the academy would train electricians, millwrights and motor mechanics among other artisans.
“Seats will be made available for unemployed youth. We realised over the years … that we need to invest more to provide technical skills for our plant and our suppliers.
“We are looking to improve the skills profile in the region,” he said.
The Daily Dispatch reported this week that youth bore the brunt of Eastern Cape’s unemployment, with almost 70% of those between 19 and 24 in the province being jobless.
Asked how many people would be trained a year, Evertse said the company was finalising the details with Treasury.
“We cannot disclose that information yet. We have signed an agreement with the National Treasury but we are still finalising the numbers,” he said.
MBSA contributed R65-million towards setting it up while the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund contributed the remaining half in the investment, said Evertse.
Van der Merwe said MBSA’s sales grew by 25% in 2014 – a year in which its close competitors, BMW and Audi, saw sales drop by 1.1% and 5.0% respectively.
Chief financial officer Herbert Werner said revenue grew by 5% despite the negative impact of the weak rand through most of 2014.
The outlook was positive for 2015, he added. — siyam@dispatch.co.za
MBSA unveils R130m artisan training plan
Presenting annual results for the 2014 financial year at the MBSA Truck Store in Centurion near Pretoria yesterday, chief executive Arno van der Merwe said the company had signed an agreement with National Treasury to set up an academy, with a view to provide a pool of trained artisans for the company and its suppliers.
Construction is currently under way to extend MBSA’s current training centre on Settlers Way.
The company said it was working towards unveiling the centre, to be renamed Mercedes-Benz Learning Academy, towards the end of the year.
MBSA executive director of human resources Johann Evertse said the academy would train electricians, millwrights and motor mechanics among other artisans.
“Seats will be made available for unemployed youth. We realised over the years … that we need to invest more to provide technical skills for our plant and our suppliers.
“We are looking to improve the skills profile in the region,” he said.
The Daily Dispatch reported this week that youth bore the brunt of Eastern Cape’s unemployment, with almost 70% of those between 19 and 24 in the province being jobless.
Asked how many people would be trained a year, Evertse said the company was finalising the details with Treasury.
“We cannot disclose that information yet. We have signed an agreement with the National Treasury but we are still finalising the numbers,” he said.
MBSA contributed R65-million towards setting it up while the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund contributed the remaining half in the investment, said Evertse.
Van der Merwe said MBSA’s sales grew by 25% in 2014 – a year in which its close competitors, BMW and Audi, saw sales drop by 1.1% and 5.0% respectively.
Chief financial officer Herbert Werner said revenue grew by 5% despite the negative impact of the weak rand through most of 2014.
The outlook was positive for 2015, he added. — siyam@dispatch.co.za
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