Led by MEC for Economic Development in Gauteng, Tasneem Motara, the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) launched a training programme aimed at unemployed youth and SMMEs at the Chamdor Automotive Hub in the West Rand. The programme is a result of the partnership between Tiger Wheel and Tyre, a subsidiary of TiAuto Investment, and AIDC.  The partnership seeks to develop a training programme and source funding, develop SMMEs for the automotive industry and explore areas of collaboration related to opportunities within the automotive value chain.

Two hundred candidates, from the Mogale City Local Municipality, will be trained in fitting, stripping, balancing and wheel alignment at the Chamdor Automotive Hub.  MEC Motara said that partnerships were important for economic development and encouraged companies in the private sector to partner with Gauteng as there is a proven track record of successful and sustainable collaborations.

AIDC CEO Andile Africa said, " we are excited about this training programme because it has already shown that the candidates who complete it are employable". There are trainees who completed the programme and have been placed in jobs. At the end of the programme, trainees will be included on a database of possible employment opportunities in the future.

In relaying his personal experience in the tyre business, Executive Director for Tiger Wheel and Tyre, Chris Farrar narrated that he started as a tyre fitter and is now in top management. He says these programmes are what young people need to get inspiration and a boost in life.

At the same event, SMMEs based at the hub received tools for their respective automotive trades. The tools were secured through the collaborative effort of the AIDC and the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) as part of the ongoing interventions to support SMMEs.

The AIDC will be rolling this programme out to other corridors within the Gauteng City Region.