The Hisense-Northlink Technical Academy was officially opened at Northlink Tvet College's Belhar Campus in Cape Town on 26 August 2026. Created in partnership with Hisense SA and the National Business Initiative (NBI), this specialist facility provides dedicated workplace development and technical skills training for the domestic appliance repair sector.
Supplied image: The official launch of the Hisense-Northlink Technical Academy
The academy forms part of the NBI’s installation, repair and maintenance (IRM) initiative, through the appliance repair and dismantling (ARAD) programme, which aims to address skills shortages in the formal appliance repair market and expand opportunities for young people to enter employment.
The initiative responds to barriers limiting young people’s entry into the formal appliance repair sector, including: limited access to formal training and recognised certification, limited opportunities for practical workplace experience, and linkages between training institutions and formal manufacturer service networks, which can make it difficult for students to transition from training into the workplace.
Real market need
Gugu McLaren-Ushewokunze, head of Economic Inclusion at the NBI, said the academy "creates an opportunity to ensure that young people are gaining skills that respond to a real market need, while giving them exposure to the workplace and the standards expected by industry.”
The Hisense-Northlink Technical Academy brings together industry expertise and public Tvet education to ensure training is aligned with current market requirements. Students will combine college-based learning with structured workplace experience, creating a practical pathway into the appliance repair sector.
Supplied image: Students working on appliances at the new Hisense-Northlink Technical Academy
As part of the collaboration, Hisense will support the academy with training appliances, technical equipment and expertise, and opportunities for students to gain workplace experience within its service network.
“We are developing a pipeline of qualified technicians who understand our products and meet industry standards," said Luna Nortje, deputy general manager at Hisense South Africa This strengthens service quality and supports the long-term sustainability of the appliance repair ecosystem.”
“This collaboration [with the NBI and Hisense South Africa] will significantly contribute to the college’s vision of expanding occupational programmes that respond to skills in high demand within industry, while creating meaningful opportunities for our students to enter the workplace,” said Lebuhang Mosia, acting campus manager for Belhar Campus, Northlink Tvet College.
