The Gauteng Department of Economic Development has facilitated a unique international scholarship opportunity for 32 young women in the province. The scholarship programme grants young women between the ages of 18 to 25 a fully funded scholarship for two year study in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai.
The automotive training will focus on areas such as productivity, quality control, entrepreneurship, leadership and life skills.
The programme is administered by the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), a subsidiary entity of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, an agency of the Department of Economic Development - with its partner Mothersons Sumi Systems Limited (MMSL), a global leader in component manufacturing with a presence in 25 countries.
Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Nkosiphendule Kolisile says, “the initiative is part of ensuring that we empower young women from disadvantaged backgrounds with skills and training and enhance their career opportunities. It also presents us with a unique opportunity to transform the automotive industry, which is still a male dominated industry.”
“It also bears testimony to the Gauteng Provincial Government’s commitment to young people in this province,” says Kolisile
According to Siphiwe Ngwenya Acting CEO of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, “the programme ties in perfectly with plans to turn Gauteng into a compelling automotive investment destination.”
Barlow Manilal, AIDC CEO, says that the automotive sector is a significant contributor to the national GDP and a priority sector for Gauteng. "We are actively involved in building a talent pipeline to empower Gauteng youths with skills to meet industry needs. This initiative will have a positive effect on skills, development and training in the automotive sector in general," he says.
Upon completion that AIDC will facilitate a matching and placement programme for returning students.
For more details and media enquiries please contact:
Ms Phindile Kunene, Media Liaison Officer for the Department of Economic Development
Cell: 082 494 2409
Tel: 011 085 2538
E-mail: Phindile.Kunene@gauteng.gov.za
