SA manufacturers to acquire skills in China

© Anel Alijagic – 123RF.com

The group, which left for China on Saturday, comprises shoe manufacturers from Gauteng, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

"The participants will acquire advanced skills in template making and tailoring, designing techniques, and an ability to integrate traditional techniques with modern technological means in shoe-making," said the dti.

The trip to Fuzhou City is facilitated by the department. Minister Rob Davies said the programme is part of the implementation of an agreement signed between South Africa and China last year.

"The Chinese government has agreed to support the efforts of South African government by contributing to the upgrading of scarce skills in our textile and clothing industry. The capacity development programme is part of our efforts to increase the number of skilled entrepreneurs within the leather and footwear sector, in order to enhance the sector's competitiveness," said Minister Davies.

He said the clothing, textiles, leather and footwear industry is one of the priority sectors identified as key drivers of economic growth and employment creation in the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP).

"The department has already invested close to R3.5 billion in the Clothing and Textiles Competitiveness Programme, an intervention aimed at saving the CTLF sectors. The main impact of the programme has been the stabilisation of the sectors, the saving of over 67,000 jobs, and the creation of a significant number of new, decent and sustainable employment opportunities," added Minister Davies.