GAUTENG FOUNDRY TRAINING CENTRE TO BOOST SA’S LOCALISATION DRIVE

Gauteng’s first foundry training centre was officially launched in September at the Ekurhuleni East Campus in Kwa Thema, Springs to create a hub for foundry-related skills training and technology transfer. The first intake of apprentices will begin their training in January 2014.

 

The GFTC is funded by government with the support and input of the private sector. The project is being funded by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) in partnership with National Foundry Technology Network (NFTN), a dti (Department of Trade and Industry) initiative.

 

Albert Chanee, Gauteng’s Acting HoD for Economic Development said at the launch that the GFTC would promote localisation by helping to improve the global competitiveness of the foundry industry. “The foundry industry is important to infrastructure development, which is an important factor in economic development,” he said.

 

Enno Krueger, president of SAIF said in his address to delegates that the GFTC was exciting to the SAIF because it addressed so many concerns of the foundry industry. “Despite a perception of being trapped in the past, South African foundries are in fact using new technologies to raise their game. However, previous training courses had become outdated and did not represent the current needs of the foundries.”

 

“The GFTC will train to the latest curriculum, a curriculum which has been developed in conjunction with industry to ensure that it meets their needs.” he added.

 

To read more about the training centre please click here