Schneider Electric has signed an Training Partnership Agreement with the Deputy Minister of Higher Education to reaffirm its commitment to provide Access to Education in South Africa.
This follows the successful establishment of the French-South African Schneider Electric Training Centre at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT).
Similar centres are now being established at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the University of Cape Town (UCT).
The centres are aimed at training electricians, electrical technicians, and electrical engineers and is in line with the Department of Higher Education and Training’s vision of accelerating artisan training across the country.
The purpose of these training centres is to provide a number of programmes in the field of energy, electricity and automation, from basic certification right through to advanced certifications, that are equivalent to university graduate and postgraduate level studies.
“Everything that we do in our colleges and universities needs to match the demand that is out there, and this is a decade-long project which aims to do exactly that,” said Deputy Minister of Higher Education and training, Mduduzi Manana.
“Without the help of partners in industry, however, it would not be possible for us to train enough artisans and build a skilled workforce in our country.”
In addition, the centres act as a hub from which to support and service the community, educational institutions and industry.
This project enjoys the support of the Embassy of France in South Africa, under the auspices of its partnership programme with the South African government, aimed at addressing the shortage of young, skilled South Africans.
The event was also attended by the French Ambassador, Elisabeth Barbier, as well as the French Ministry of Education and Training, Marianne de Brunhoff.
“Leadership is about doing more good, and nothing is more rewarding for us than making an impact in the countries where we do business.
“Everywhere that we do business, we want to make a positive impact,” said Eric Leger, Schneider Electric country president.
He added that Schneider Electric intended to train over 1 000 more students in 2016, “which is a big goal, but we are confident that we can achieve it.
To date, Schneider electric has already trained over 75, 000 people for energy-related jobs globally through various initiatives.
The company has also invested in 12 start-ups that are developing innovative access to energy solutions and has provided energy access to 2.4 million people at the base of the energy pyramid worldwide.
