Training company Artisan Training Institute (ATI) reports that it will spend R90-million over the next few years to expand its operations.
ATI cofounder and director Mandisa Nyathikazi says the operational expansion will be part-funded by cash flow and partly by the company’s banks.
The expansions include the launch of a motor-diesel shop in Hartbeesfontein, to train diesel and tractor technicians. The facility will be able to accommodate 25 apprentices, she says, adding that the company will also be building accommodation for learners in KwaZulu-Natal, in addition to building a new head office in the Muldersdrift/Kromdraai area.
Further, she highlights that the company’s engineering equipment and tools supplier – Toolquip & Allied, an industrial division of Forge Group – recently expanded into the Northern Cape, opening a branch in Kathu. The branch aims to grow product sales, while servicing the wide range of industries in the province.
ATI strategic director Aubrey Bahula says that the Northern Cape is well known for its diamond mines around Kimberley and other mining operations in Sishen, Postmasburg and Hotazel.
“Our channel strategy execution places particular emphasis on growing our distribution channel across the country and the Southern African Development Community region,” she adds.
ATI director Sean Jones adds that Liebherr Academy, a social responsibility initiative of crane suppliers Liebherr-Africa, will have invested about R27-million into ATI by the end of 2014.
The ATI training initiative started in 2008 and Jones says: “About 100 learners will walk through the ATI doors during the current focused training period, which concludes at the end of 2014.”
He explains that the R27-million investment by Liebherr, over seven years, is for the greater good of the country. The qualified artisans do not necessarily go and work for Liebherr, he says, noting that, at the end of the training, it is ATI’s job to place the new artisans in jobs across South Africa.