the dti to Launch Specialised Industrial Facility in Limpopo
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) will launch the Specialised Industrial Facility (SIF) at the Sekhukhune Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College in Motetema, Limpopo on Friday, 5 August 2022.
The Sekhukhune SIF launch will be the third of four of TVET colleges that have been earmarked as pilot centres that will support skills development for students and provide technology access to Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to improve their productivity.
Sekhukhune was preceded by the launch of the Ekurhuleni TVET College SIF in Gauteng in December 2019 and the Lovedale TVET SIF in February 2020.
According to the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Fikile Majola, this initiative is in line with the new reconfigured Spatial Industrial Development Framework that is currently developed by the dtic to ensure that government intervene in all disctrict municipalities. The new approach seeks to integrate township and rural economy in the work of the departments.
“Sekhukhune TVET and others are supported with state-of-the-art industrial and production equipment, which will include construction, metal fabrication, jewellery manufacturing, agro-processing and vehicle maintenance. These sectors were selected based on their great potential and local economic empowerment spinoffs and applicability to the local needs. They will target TVET students, emerging and existing SMMEs in their immediate vicinity. The Sekhukhune Specialised Industrial Facility will also impact the community positively and serve as a centre of excellence that will unlock local talent,” says Majola.
Majola adds that after the launch and establishment of the three pilots SIFs a series of principal activities will be conducted.
“This will include design centres and production units to improve business performance, there will also be a review and development of entrepreneurship curriculum modules adapted to SIFs to set up in TVET colleges, and testing facilities will be created within SIFs for appropriate technologies that will be accessible to SMMEs to enhance the quality of products and the provision of Business Development Services within training and information centres set up along with the SIFs in the target TVET colleges,” says Majola.
Enquiries:
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Mobile: 079 5083 457
WhatsApp: 074 2998 512
E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
