Volkswagen of South Africa (VWSA) has opened three new production training centres, forming part of a new production academy, at its vehicle production plant, in Uitenhage.

VWSA MD David Powels says the company aims to use the current weak point in the economic cycle to accelerate its training 
efforts, “so we’re in a better posi-
tion when the upswing comes, and we’re more competitive”.


He is positive the South African automotive industry will see some growth return to the market in 2010, following what is projected 
to be a dismal 2009 for local car and truck sales.

Powels does not expect the global market to show signs of 
recovery before 2011, or even 2012, which could affect vehicle exports from South Africa.


The reason the South African market will recover first can be linked to the fact that its down cycle preceded that of the global market by some 12 months, and that its recovery should, therefore, also follow the same trend. 

Hopes for a local upswing are aided by the recent and expected continued downward trend in 
interest rates.


VWSA has invested R30-million in the construction of the three production training centres 
– a body shop academy, an assem-
bly academy and an engine plant academy, which all form part of the production academy – and in the development of the learning content.

This investment, additional to the company’s R400-million skills development programme, which kicked off in 2006 and which is due to run until 2010, forms part of VWSA’s R3-billion investment plan to upgrade the Uitenhage operation between 2008 and 2010.

The vehicle manufacturer is gearing up to produce two vehicle 
platforms (the Polo and another entry-level segment vehicle set to replace the die-hard CitiGolf) in larger volumes, moving from its previous five, smaller-volume production platforms.

“The process to do this is running now; it started last year,” says Powels.

He says the company believes it is necessary to invest in training as the “local automotive industry in South Africa is not really internationally competitive”.

Powels notes that a push to increase training at VWSA will improve the company’s productivity, ensure the staff is apt at handling the new technologies required to produce the two platforms, and create an environment where each employee has a personal development plan, which should aid the company in retaining 
essential skills.

“VWSA’s intent to be the benchmark automotive company 
in South Africa and to become a competitive automotive global player hinges on the skills development of its employees,” he adds.

“The reality is that the critical skills required to carry out this plan are scarce in South Africa.”

The production training academy is only one of five academies VWSA has opened, with the 
others encompassing the leadership, technical, commercial, and sales and marketing fields. 

Each academy has a unique set of learning pathways.

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