Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, will deliver the keynote address at the official opening of the Imperial Holdings Technical Training Academy in South Africa, which will be held at Bellville near Cape Town tomorrow, Tuesday, 5 March.
The Academy is the largest of the Imperial Holdings Technical Training Academy Network in South Africa.
“The opening of the Academy could not have come at a better time, when the department has embarked on an aggressive drive to accelerate the production of qualified artisans and a technically skilled labour. 2013 has also been declared ‘The Year of the Artisan’ and a facility of this kind can only help the country reach our set targets for technical skills even faster,” Minister Nzimande said.
He added that the “Year of the Artisan” campaign sought to further sharpen the focus on the need for the production of artisans as part of the national strategy even more.
The 3000m2 facility will be focused on meeting the technical needs in passenger vehicles, heavy duty vehicles, auto electrical, autotronics, motorcycle and scooter mechanic through the MerSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related industries Sector Education and Training Authority) apprenticeship training program.
The event will also be attended by Imperial Holdings Chief Executive, Mr Hubert Brody, Chairman of the Board, Mr Osman and the Premier of the Western Cape, Mrs Helen Zille. It will be held at the Mega Park Business Park, Unit 114/5, 15 Mill Street, Bellville South.
