C3 AUTOBODY REPAIR ACADEMY & CRA JOIN FORCES
C3 Autobody Repair Academy and the Collision Repair Association of SA (CRA) have announced a successful input of R15 million from the Seta for short skills programmes. The 100 learners programme has begun with 50 artisans already receiving training on their short courses. These learners will partner with CRA members for on-the-job experience.
Each course done is linked to an NQF qualification and the programme is structured so that eventually the learners will get their qualifications under the Artisans Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for technicians with experience and full-time employment.
What makes this programme different is that the learner is able to add value straight away on the shop floor as they have received in-depth training in a short programme.
This new format has already been tried and tested with 27 students, with 24 of them enjoying successful long-term placements. The new way of thinking is to create intensive training for the learner, who is able to hold their own in the shop as they arrive and can confidently begin adding value in the vehicle repair chain. The feedback from shops has been just that, plus the integration of the learner is much better.
“In fact, our feedback has been that our learners are more efficient than second or third year students because of the intensive training they have received.” Said Busi Maile, managing director of C3 Autobody Repair Academy. “With mentors being very busy on the shop floor, it’s perhaps a better initiative to received trained artisans that can add immediate value without having to have constant supervision. This could be a good answer to the way forward in addressing our skills shortage and ageing knowledgeable qualified artisans.
The next 50 learners will begin with their skills programme in April next year.
