| By: Darren Parker
3rd July 2009
Barloworld Equipment last week officially opened a R57-million complex that will house students attending the new adjacent R130-million Barloworld Equipment Technical Training Centre (BETTC), in Isando, east of Johannesburg.
These developments come at a time when the Barloworld group has had to take measures to cut costs, including placing several capital projects on hold.
Barloworld Equipment CEO Peter Bulter-man said at the launch of the BETTC, in March, that skills development remained a priority and that investment in leadership
development and technical skills training would be increased this year. |
When fully operational, the BETTC will be capable of training about 2 000 learners a year, including learner artisans, artisans employed by Barloworld Equipment, as well as artisans employed by the company’s customers and other Caterpillar dealers. The centre will comprise a six-bay workshop, 12 practical work areas, 12 lecture rooms, office accommodation, a canteen and other amenities.
The centre will enrol South African learners as well as learners from other African countries, such as Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi.
Work started on the technical training centre in the fourth quarter of last year, with completion due before the end of 2009, says Barloworld Equipment media relations manager Alastir Currie.
In February 2008, Barloworld Equipment mandated property development and management company MidCity to find an existing nearby facility that could be converted into a residence for trainees attending the BETTC. The facility chosen by MidCity is literally across the road from the BETTC.
“Practical completion was scheduled for July 30, 2009, but the project is already complete,” said MidCity CEO Dawie de Villiers at the roof-wetting ceremony late last month. “We completed the changes and improvements to the facility in six months.”
Edited by: Martin Zhuwakinyu
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