
The Tyres, Equipment, Parts Association (TEPA) of South Africa is looking at launching a new training programme that will not only educate learners on the technical knowledge of working in the automotive aftermarket industry, but also retail and entrepreneurship skills.
This, TEPA believes, will assist in addressing the escalating skills shortage that threatens the industry’s sustainability.
While the association already provides an extensive training course on product and fitment in the tyre and equipment sector, it’s not enough to offset the growing gap.
“The lack of sufficiently skilled workers is a critical challenge, particularly as the industry struggles to adapt to rapid technological advancements in vehicle systems and the changing demands of modern vehicles,” said TEPA National Director Vishal Premlall.
“Improving skill levels not only benefits the industry’s operational competency, but also enhances road safety for all South Africans.”
Nationwide impact
The entity is thus planning to introduce an additional training programme specifically tailored to the automotive aftermarket field.
The goal is to roll out the course over the entire nation over the next five years to reach all TEPA members, as well as to launch campaigns attracting new talent, particularly those interested in starting their own businesses.
“The programmes, apart from covering technical skills, are being developed to cover retail skills and entrepreneurship to attract new entrants into the industry and will leverage existing courses within the merSETA framework, which are being updated to meet modern technological demands,” said Premlall.
“Specialised training not only improves productivity but also promotes a culture of continuous learning, ensuring that the workforce remains skilled and knowledgeable about industry advancements. We are ultimately creating a more comprehensive training ecosystem that supports professional development at all levels and contributes towards a more sustainable industry.”
Premlall emphasises that industry-wide support is crucial to ensure the longevity of the automotive sector.
He says TEPA’s vision is to change the perception that investing in skills development is counterproductive, highlighting the long-term benefits of upskilling the workforce to create a more sophisticated, professional industry landscape.
“Workplace experience is a vital part of skills training, and we’re seeing great enthusiasm for these programmes. Addressing the skills shortage is not only a solution for our industry but also an opportunity to combat unemployment in South Africa,” he said.
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