MBSA embarks on recruitment drive for production of new C-class

The programme will see approximately 800 successful applicants undergo training and skills development, with the aim of securing a position as a production employee at the MBSA manufacturing plant. The company has also entered into a partnership with the Department of Labour to select candidates from their database of job seekers.

The announcement in 2010 that the East London plant had been selected as one of only four Daimler AG sites worldwide to build the W205 C-Class was met with an enthusiastic response by employees, the industry and the public sector. In addition to an investment in excess of R2.5 billion, the creation of both direct jobs in the plant as well as indirectly in the automotive supply sector, is on the cards.

Other major developments at the production facility include massive construction to build a new Bodyshop, which will also see the introduction of numerous new technologies.

Economic contribution to the province

Vice president for human resources at MBSA, Johann Evertse, believes that the investment provides the company an ideal opportunity to deepen the economic contribution of its production facility on the province and country, impacting on the sustainability of the local community and further enhancing the over 60-year long relationship with the Border Kei region.

Before admission into the programme, each applicant is required to successfully complete a multi-phased assessment process. MBSA has set up a specialised training centre, where each of the selected trainees will undergo two months of training in automotive theory, as well as practical, production-specific content. The training facility is equipped to accommodate 144 learners at a time.

Approximately 600 trainees, selected from those who meet the required standards after successfully completing the comprehensive course, will be recruited as additional production operators to the build the new C-Class model.