The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise the establishment and functioning of the National Quality and Productivity Network (NQPN) for skills development in South Africa’s automotive sector.
The network consists of six partner organisations that came together to promote quality and productivity through the implementation of Quality and Productivity Improvement (QPI) technologies or Kaizen.
The six organisations include the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Productivity SA, the Automotive Industry Development Centre in Gauteng (AIDC-GP ), Automotive Supply Chain Competitiveness Initiative (ASCCI), Plastics South Africa (Plastics SA), Production Technologies Association of South Africa (PtSA), Productivity South Africa (Productivity SA).
The project aims to promote the QPI technologies as hands-on and practical know-how developed through a participatory, learning-by-doing approach for the lower-tier component suppliers in the automotive value chain, which also extends to the plastics and metals sectors. . One of the key objectives of the project is to strengthen the competitiveness of the suppliers in the automotive sector in line with the South African Automotive Masterplan 2035.
The Acting Deputy Director-General of the Sectors Branch in the dtic, Dr Anneline Chetty says the agreement will establish a framework within which co-operation may develop between the partners to strengthen the competitiveness of the South African automotive industry.
“This will be done through disseminating knowledge and technique on the QPI and areas of common interests identified. The collaboration, additionally, seeks to increase employment and decent job opportunities, promote joint efforts and cooperation between management and workers in companies and organisations, promote the welfare of people and reduce the disparity in society.
The countrywide training programme has already begun with a basic Kaizen classroom training session in Gauteng, and will be spread out across the country.
Acting Deputy Director-General of the Sectors Branch in the dtic, Dr Anneline Chetty at the signing ceremony with Productivity SA CEO, Mr Mothunye Mothiba.
Enquiries:
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Mobile: 079 5083 457
WhatsApp: 074 2998 512
E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
Share this:
