“Gauteng should be a first destination choice for in the automotive sector,” says Barlow Manilal, CEO of the Automotive Industry Development Company (AIDC). Speaking at a function for over 500 learners enrolled in the AIDC’s human resources development programmes at the CSIR in Tshwane, Manilal congratulated the learners on their achievements to acquire qualifications and skills as part of the Gauteng Province’s Talent Pipeline Project.



Through its Employment Skills Development Agency (ESDA) and The Talent Pipeline programmes, the AIDC has, to date, trained and assisted over 4 000 unemployed youths to obtain qualifications in critical and scarce skills in the automotive industry, as well as the engineering and manufacturing sectors.



As a subsidiary of Blue IQ, an agency of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, the AIDC has forged partnerships with a number of companies to train and provide skilled labour, assist large and small companies to meet their training requirements and capacitate training providers. This forms part of the GEGDS’ strategic interventions to capacitate the unemployed in order for them to become skilled labour and better their chances of employment



“To achieve government’s strategic goals to attract and retain investments in the automotive industry and subsequently sustain jobs, Gauteng must provide and enable the required skilled labour,” Manilal further adds . “The Automotive Production and Development Plan scheduled to commence in 2013 has sent a clear message to investors about government’s commitment to supporting growth in the automotive industry. This forward thinking policy will, however, not reach its full potential if investors cannot source the required labour.”



Employment of learners is not the end of the AIDC’s relationship with graduates. AIDC ESDA continues to monitor, mentor and assist graduates with any issues that may arise in the workplace. “These interventions benefit both the employee and the over 200 companies who host our graduates, to successfully manage expectations, ensure proper development and resolve any challenges,” says Manilal. With all administration handled by AIDC’s ESDA, companies are able to focus on their core business with the confidence that training requirements are being taken care of.



Other speakers at the event included Naadia Moosajee of the South African Women in Engineering who highlighted the diverse opportunities for women in the engineering sector.



Training is provided through partnerships with private and public tertiary institutions such as the training colleges and Further Education and Training (FET) colleges in Gauteng.