The students spent some time at the MBSA head office in Centurion for brand specific training, and are currently involved in on-the-job training at various company dealerships.
Successful completion of the three-year programme will equip learners with a certificate in automotive repair and maintenance, while the workplace exposure and mentorship by the dealers will give them an invaluable head start in their future careers. The MBSA leanership is run in co-operation with the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (MerSETA), with competency assessments being completed by the MerSETA at the end of each milestone.
Vice president for after-sales at MBSA, Naeem Hassim, explains that the company shares the concern and commitment of government to educate and upskill the youth. "We want to create a sound skills base and a pipeline of technically-skilled individuals with a specific emphasis on customer relations and enhancing the customer experience. The automotive industry is strongly driven by technological advancement, and we have a severe shortage of technical skills. This learnership will potentially benefit both the company and the sector."
Centre director, Vanessa Pillay, is satisfied with the progress made by the students. "The learners have a long journey ahead of them, starting with NQF Level 2 this year and culminating in 2014 with an NQF Level 4. Our emphasis is on equipping them for the journey with a combination of technical, job and life skills that will serve them not only in their training but also in their future careers."
