Porsche set to speed up training

Some of the first students in the workshop of the newly established Porsche Training and Recruitment Centre South Africa.Photos: Supplied

Some of the first students in the workshop of the newly established Porsche Training and Recruitment Centre South Africa.Photos: Supplied

Published Apr 3, 2017

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Cape Town - Seventy-five young men and women from disadvantaged backgrounds are set to get a skills training opportunity as service mechatronics to boost their chances of employment in the automotive industry following the opening of a new training centre by luxury vehicle manufacturer Porsche on Thursday.

Porsche said the course, which will run for three years, will give the youths career opportunities in the Volkswagen group.

The programme was launched in association with the Don Bosco Salesian Institute Youth Projects (Siyp) in Cape Town and local Porsche importer LSM Distributors.

Porsche public relations manager Christo Kruger said the investment was ongoing.

“Many elements, including a Porsche for training purposes, are still outstanding but will be in place when the programme commences in July,” Kruger said.

Volkswagen said the training would benefit companies beyond Volkswagen and Audi.

The company said eight women and 16 men would participate in the first year of training.

It said the content had been designed by the brand’s after-sales experts.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the centre this week, Porsche after-sales manager Michael Drolshagen said: “When I look into the eager faces of our first trainees it’s a further confirmation that we and our partners are doing the right thing - “creating opportunities for young adults to enhance their skills and position themselves permanently on the job market, and opportunities to develop a professional reputation and use this reputation to strengthen their position in society”.

Lynn Steven, the chairwoman of the Salesian Institute Youth Projects, said that in Porsche, the organisation had an experienced partner at its side.

“Creating new opportunities, opening their minds and hearts: this is what the Salesians have done for our young people in Cape Town since 1910.

“We want our youth to believe in themselves and help them achieve their fullest potential.

Eight women and 16 men will be trained as service mechatronics.

“We are delighted that Porsche has partnered with the Salesial Institute Youth Projects to create opportunities for those who are deserving of this chance,” she said.

The training programme is expected to fund itself from the fourth year.

Porsche and the VW Group brands would continue to supervise the project and be responsible for enhancing the curriculum and employing the graduates.

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