State-owned passenger rail operator the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA’s) R51-billion passenger train build programme, which is being carried out by black-empowered locomotive manufacturer Gibela Rail Consortium, will need about 1 375 skilled artisans to build the 600 trains and 3 600 coaches required from the ten-yearlong project.

Young South Africans, who will take up design, engineering and managerial positions during the build programme, are currently receiving training at France-based original-equipment manufacturer Alstom’s facilities in Europe and Brazil, where the first 20 locomotives are being built.

The training is taking place ahead of the completion of Gibela’s R1-billion manufacturing facility in Dunnottar, Johannesburg, which will begin construction in the third quarter of this year.

The remaining 580 locomotives will be manufactured at the Dunnottar facility, which will produce 62 locomotives a year at peak capacity – more than any of Alstom’s existing facilities.

The ambitious peak-manufacturing target has prompted Gibela to establish a recognised training facility at Dunnottar, which will not only provide skilled artisans for the build programme, but will also provide broader career opportunities for over 19 000 skilled artisans who will receive certification during the ten-year project. All students at the facility will be trained at Gibela’s expense.

“Therefore, aside from its investment in a plant and equipment, Gibela will also be investing in people,” the company states.

The 85 000 m2 facility will also make provision for the company’s equipment suppliers to set up their own manufacturing operations adjacent to Gibela’s factory. This is a likely career destination for many of the skilled individuals who graduate from Gibela’s training institute.

The consortium is also mobilising its resources to offer supplier development programmes, which will ensure its suppliers meet the quality standards and specifications required for the locomotives Gibela is manufacturing.