Eastern Cape creates automotive skills development plan

ED RICHARDSON
THE EASTERN Cape is taking steps to preserve its position as “the Detroit of Southern Africa” through a skills development partnership between the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) and seven higher education institutions in the province. Dr Paulo Fernandes, managing director of the AIDC, says the development of skills is a critical challenge for an industry that depends on advanced and intelligent technology and that has to adjust to rapidly changing developments. Speaking at the presentation of an AIDC Impact Report on Skills Development in Port Elizabeth recently, Fernandes said it was important that provincial and local government played a role in skills development. There should also be greater collaboration between educational institutions and the industry to ensure that the outcomes are aligned.