BMW SA to expand IT staff

Picture: Frank Augstein, AP

Picture: Frank Augstein, AP

Published Sep 8, 2016

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Pretoria - Car manufacturer BMW South Africa says it plans to expand its IT workforce by 50 percent from 400 to 600 jobs by next year.

Tim Abbott, CEO of the German vehicle manufacturer’s South African and sub-Saharan operations on Thursday said its services centre has already created over 200 specialist jobs between 2014 and 2016, with targets for further growth to 320 jobs by 2017.

"In addition, the IT Operations Centre employs 200 people and will grow to 300 by 2017, supporting a growing number of critical IT Systems for BMW around the world. Both IT centres provide employees with the opportunity to develop their skills locally and on international assignments.

Abbott noted South Africans are unique in terms of multi-skilling.

"An investment into locating the centre in South Africa reaffirms the BMW group’s confidence in the quality of work of local IT professionals. Unlike other markets in the world, South African skills are unique in terms of multi-skilling, as the vast majority of SAP configurators are also SAP software developers."

Read also:  SA’s auto industry gets a shot in the arm

BMW SA said that it will not only look at future employment but also empowering six young graduates from rural areas with on-the-job experience.

"Graduates are employed by BMW South Africa on a contract basis for the duration of the development programme. We will continue to prioritise opportunities for job creation and skills development at BMW South Africa into the future.”

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