November 11, 2025 • 21 mins
Car Feature: South Africa’s first accredited qualification for EV repair
Relebogile Mabotja speaks Louis van Huyssteen the National Training Director at Retail Motor Industry Organization (RMI) and Boitumelo Mphanya a Training Manager at RMI about the launch of the Electromobility Occupational Skills Programme the nation’s first formally recognised qualification for the repair and maintenance of electric and hybrid vehicles.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Seven o two, the car feature.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Twenty four minutes two three a clock time Foul Car
Feature and get in touch with us O dodible one
double three oh seven oh two in the WhatsApp line
oh seven two, seven oh two and seven o two.
We are joined as we chat about South Africa's first
A credited qualification for EV repair by Louis van Haistian,
who is the National Training Director at Retail Motor Industry
(00:25):
Organization or shortened as r M. I get in touch
with us odible one double A three oh seven oh
two and the WhatsApp line oh seven two, seven oh
two one seven o two.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Louis, welcome to the show. How are you doing.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
I'm good in yourself, LABU and thank you very much
for having myself and my colleague boy to melum Pania On,
the training director at RIM Iron Boys is our training manager.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Okay, great to meet you both. Louis chat to us
about a normal vehicle repairs that we need to be
aware of as lea South Africans, so that we can
also just get an understanding of the intricacies that go
into the training of vehicle repairs before we jump into.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
EV hundred percent label. Thank you very much.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
So vehicles do have life and limb components, critical and
safety vehicles, and it's always important for us as motorists
to realize that keeping our vehicles well maintained and making
sure that they were looked after, you know, we can
minimize and mitigate a fatal road accident. So maintenance and
(01:34):
repair vehicles very important. And we do have apprenticeships within
our offtermarket sector level that actually olp to train apprentices
either through public TVT colleges or through a private providers.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
What really goes into it the training and maybe we
can even take it a step backwards to ask what
are the requirements for you to go into training?
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Yr lebus, So, in terms of a new occupational certificates
in the country, you can actually enter an apprentice qualification
on the occupational certificates of which the qctos a custodian of,
with a qualification as low as a grade nine, you know,
obviously in an automotive motive mechanic and diesel mechanic and
(02:26):
so forth, A fair DeMont or a fair level of
understanding of mathematics and so forth obviously important, so and
a third of a curriculum level in motive mechanic and
diesel is nowadays a vehicle diagnostics, so the ability to
(02:47):
work on those diagnostic instruments and scanning tools important. So
you will find that some of the vehicle dealerships, by
way of example, they say minimum requirement is a grade twelve,
but you know you can actually go if you look
at the curriculum requirements and the entry level is a
grade nine, obviously you will just need to push a
little bit to also learn those You know that those
(03:11):
specific components.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Are their preferences in terms of subjects like maybe let's
say maths or science that one looks at when they
are selecting those that sort of can qualify to go
into training.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
It is a preference that you do have a fair
amount of mathematics and also some science. But label the
South African skill system have got a very strong backbone
and our requirements are very accommodating to really anyone that's
(03:45):
got a grade nine and up, you know, to go,
obviously you will need to put a little bit of
more shoulder to the will you know has got a
grade twelve obviously also needs to push out. But the
guy that's got a grade nine, you know, perhaps just
push a little bit o, but anything is possible. We
see it that some of the TVT colleges where guys
are really really deprived, you know that come from backgrounds
(04:09):
where you think, listen, how on earth is this car
going to market? Yeah, and then we've got good successes,
excellent successes with employers being very proud of them.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
What are some of the things that they learn from
a theory perspective before they actually start to get their
hands on a car.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
So it's interesting, labor and thanks for asking that question. So,
in terms of the occupational certificates that is now the
order of a day, South Africa has transitioned from legacy
to occupational. In the legacy dispensation, Messito was the custodian
(04:48):
with delivery models like curriculum based modular training and now
with a quality Council for Trades and occupations being the custodian.
The curriculum level consists of three components, so there's a knowledge,
there's assimilated practical in a workplace. So and that all
(05:08):
gets integrated in what is known as work integrated learning level.
So what is actually nice and what works very nice
that we've seen with some of the colleges like your
College of Cape Town and your pot Elizabeth TVTT College
that we're part of the DHET Center of Specialization program.
(05:30):
They actually managed to integrate the knowledge that the learners
learning class or the apprentices with assimilated practical in the workshop.
And then what happens quite nicely is they rotate from
the college to the workplace and that and they're at
the workplace, what we call work integrated.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Learning takes place.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
So it's a fully integrated system that actually works very
well if you've got a passionate facilitators or TVT lecturers,
you know, and we got some good examples of that
as well. And then obviously the support staff at the
campus also supports the TVET liners very well in terms of,
(06:10):
you know anything, you know, logistics and travel arrangements and
whatever comes across, you know, the young people's way in
order to get their qualifications.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Do you think that it helps for a young person
to have, you know, a big interest in cars? Does
that kind of make the process easier for them?
Speaker 4 (06:30):
It helps to have a big interest and a passion
in course. But I also want to mention to you
and the listener's label that we've seen ladies doing exceptionally
well in trades like vehicles spray painting, because ladies and
women see a color better than men.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
So I didn't even know men's see color. You just
taught me something new. I didn't know men's.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
See you know, Liver, it's interesting that you mentioned that.
So colors, if you look at vehicles in a vehicle park,
all of them do the normal I me and you
seem to be blue or white or green or whatever.
But if you get these, uh, these type of eyes
(07:20):
that can see into a color, you know, white is
not really white. There's a little bit of green or
blue or yellow or whatever in it.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
And that, like I refer to them as undertones. That's great,
you know why, because we do make up.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
So it's like knowing and understanding when you look at
someone's face if they've got warm undertones or yellow undertones
or so I get you.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
I get you totally.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
And the scribe painting and mixing, the colors, label and
so forth. So it's really really you know, opportunities of
they for men and women. Obviously, we want to attract
more ladies to the industry. You know, it's being perceived
as a mild dominated industry. But We've got some brilliant
examples of ladies that have completed they try getting employed
(08:10):
at employers, at vehicle dealerships and doing.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
The same and even a better than a mild counterparts.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
All right, we're going to take a break all of
your questions.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Oh double one double a three oh seven oh two
in the WhatsApp line oh seven two, seven oh two
one seven O.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
Two seven O two.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
The car features.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Fourteen minutes to three o'clock rather and we continue with
our car feature today chatting about South Africa's first accredited
qualification for EV repair. We're joined by Louis van Heistian,
who is the National Training direct at Retail Motor Industry
Organization r m I, and we take your calls on
(08:52):
oh double one double a three oh seven oh two
in the WhatsApp line oh seven two, seven oh two
and seven oh two. Especially if you have a young
person who is looking to get it into training. This
conversation is for you, Louis, when did you actually start
seeing that South Africa is picking up enough on electric
vehicles that we need to start developing training. I mean
(09:13):
we're not fully there yet because of load shedding and
so many things. The vehicles are still quite expensive. But
in terms of that, when did you start saying, hey,
we actually need to get our skin in the game.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Yet, Libel, thanks for that question.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Approximately five years ago we started looking at the trends
in terms of new energy vehicle souls and you will
recall at that time we got the Toyo or we
had the Toyota Prias that was sort of one of
the first hybrid vehicles. And since then what also made
(09:50):
a big impact and you know, we think helped the
process along is our president Drama Pausa announced to us
any state of a nation addressed over sometimes you know,
new new energy vehicles electric vehicles, and we've obviously have
got a white pape on ivy in the country as well.
So yes, you know, as we've seen in a growth
(10:12):
in vehicle in new energy vehicles, in particular electric the.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
A traditional hybrid vehicle.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
Vessels are really good last year in comparison with a
number of years ago, and for fully electric is also
starting to gain a lot more traction. You are right
in terms of affordability, but we've also now seen brands
like a BYD, you know, launching the BYD Serve for
three hundred and thirty nine thousand, and another one for
three eighty nine. So yes, I think we're going to
(10:45):
see a lot of competition in this market and that
created the need for this qualification.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
We do a lot as a as a trainer.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
From your side, what are some of the things that
you observe when young people come in to start to experience.
Do you think a lot of them are quite surprised
with what goes into it? Because I would imagine that
many men already think that they can lift the hood
of a car and figure out the problem. But some
of them you're like, why are you even opening the
(11:13):
hood because this car is very like taky and you know,
the only thing you can seize the hole to pour
water in.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (11:22):
So really that's a good question because what you've seen
is that unlike your traditional cars, with electric cars, there's
minimum stuff that you can check on the car, Like
even if you were to take it to a savist,
there's no match that you can do there. It's more
(11:43):
like three things that you have to check more on
your air conditioning breaks and so forth.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
So there's nothing.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
Really that you can do on that car.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
And for.
Speaker 5 (11:55):
People who are entering the sector, it is surprising that
it leans more on the electrical side modern the motor
mechanic site.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Oh you mean you mean where they are lacking an
info or where their interests lie the Oh okay, I'm
very surprised to hear that. Can you maybe share with
us why you think that is the case.
Speaker 5 (12:18):
I think that the case is more on obviously, looking
at our environment at the moment, the requirement is more
on the electric side, more than your traditional high breath
or your ice cars.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
In terms of you know, passing down that knowledge. And
I mean, I think Louis you you possibly be able
to speak to this. We still have a whole lot
of much older vehicles that have a different way of
being fixed. There is a whole new generation that has
not even been inside a car like a bug where
(12:56):
you'd go to the back expecting to store things and
then find, you know, a whole engine there.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
How do you.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Ensure that all of that information is still keeping with
young people because many people are still loving their older
vehicles or their vintages and their collecting correct level.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Excellent question. So South Africa has got the benefit.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
We've got a vehicle bok arranging from older vehicles to
very very new vehicles. And as I've mentioned earlier, our
legislation and our skills backbone and the spine of our
skills development is extremely strong. So we get the likes
(13:42):
of private providers and TVT colleges that really do accommodate
learners from a wide range, and they expose themselves to
older cars. Myself and Botemilia had the privilege to go
into a couple of training providers and TVT colleges, so
you'll see the likes of training vehicles.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
It will be older vehicles.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
You know, Afford as a company made a condemnation that
many of the Tavet colleges received a Ford Ranger Bucky,
and you know that was a couple of years ago
as well, and you know, we are thankful and grateful,
you know, so that villainers can be exposed to a
wide range coming to electric vehicles in terms of what's
(14:25):
unfolding now. And you actually caught us on a very
good day to day because tomorrow is the first day
of a MESSITA scoping and profiling meeting for the city qualification.
So I think you have got a breaking new store.
So yeah, so tomorrow afternoon at two it's going to
(14:45):
be a virtual session from two until off post full.
So we will have a likes of some of the
manufacturers that's going to sent representatives and some other subject
matter experts and we have got a lady that's a
facilitator going to facilitate the process, you know, forma SITA.
I appointed it in the QCTO gav blessing and be
(15:07):
very thankful so that we can have a national recognized
qualification in the country.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Which we know is exceptionally important to have it recognized
and accredited so that you know you're not getting scammed
in the process. And we know this the motor industry
is one where many are susceptible to be scammed because
of the lack of awareness and certain details.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Do Melo maybe chat to me really about are.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
The opportunities for people that maybe aren't eighteen nineteen fresh
out of school that decide, you know what, I want
to pivot or I actually have a passion for cars
and I want to take the time to go and
learn how to just help my own car.
Speaker 5 (15:49):
Yeah, because this is quite new, there's still an opportunity
for people who have not for people who does not
have experience in the sector to come and you know,
with like with any other skill, it's something that you
learn and it's a lifetime skill. You can use it
any time. It is not something that only limits you
(16:12):
up to a certain age group. So if you learn now,
you can still use it even no retirement.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
And what kind of career opportunities And this is not
just to the EV but in general, Louis can a
person get.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
Access to if.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
They are listening and they quite interested in pursuing this,
we know we've got a whole lot of matriculence that
some of them next year they don't even have plans
or direction of what they'd like to do a libel.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
Again, you're asking a lot of good questions.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
So this one, this one is my job.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
I have to I know that.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
I know that.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
So libert actually creates for opportunity to just emphasize some
a good work at some of our seatas, especially W
and R STA. I've got an ice portal in terms
of career guidance which mom, dad, anyone can a click
on and it will explain the process very very easily.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Messita has also got lots of information on careers.
Speaker 4 (17:21):
Messita has got a career a bus believe it or not,
that moves around the country and actually informs our young
people in the rural and urban areas and so forth.
So I think it creates an opportunity also for our colleagues,
you know at the department you know, education and basic education,
(17:44):
in terms of getting some of our industry colleagues involved.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
You know, we see that some of the other countries.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
In the world invite like a multi mechanic, or invite
like a firefighter, and invite like a surgeon or a
fighter pilot or whatever into the classroom. So it might
just create an opportunity for our departments to also think
about that. You know, even at a young age, if
you can install something like becoming a motor mechanic and
(18:15):
a child at five six years old, that image might
stick and you will say, listen, my mom is doing it,
my daddy's doing it, my nephew is doing it, my
cousin is doing it. You know, maybe I can try
my hand in it. And you know, I've learned from
the College of Cape Town facilitator Rashid Arikari. Rashid always
has got a saying to you, and he says it
to me quite often, and too, Boytomelu Louis skills I
(18:38):
can teach, but passion I can't. So you know that's
important also for young people to realize if you know,
if I've got agreement a passion, anything is achievable.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
That can become anything.
Speaker 4 (18:53):
And I think for us, as you know, organizations, entities,
media and so forth, you know, we can do a
little bit better in terms of promoting you know, certain careers,
you know, certain industries. You know, there's some snazzy words
if you look at the skills jargon, they talk about
horizontal articulation and vertical articulation. But for grade eleven and
(19:15):
a twelve, you know, labor, it's actually up to us
to explain to say, yes, if I'm a motor mechanic,
I can actually go this way.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
Left or right, up and down.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
And then finally, how do you get the motor industry
and all the manufacturers to actually participate in the training
because the more different models the better, especially when we
see how the Chinese are changing the game.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
Yeah, leve a good question.
Speaker 4 (19:42):
So what will happen is if we manage to poll
through and I've got one hundred and ten percent confidence
in the mesta of a facilitator that I've appointed we've
got the QCTO behind us. For DHET, a guylikes a
Bailibertilezi at the DHET and is a chief director in
(20:02):
charge of Center of Specialization at TVET colleges.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
They are looking with very, very keen interest.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
So a national recognized qualification in electric vehicles or electro
mobility is really going to create an opportunity for the
likes of manufacturers to say, yes, we are doing training
already and they can call it product specific training, or
they go into vehicle dealerships or approved motor body repairs
(20:30):
and they do training. Now they will have an opportunity
to align their material that they are using now to
the national recognized qualification.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
So if me, you, BOTOMELU.
Speaker 4 (20:43):
Attend a manufacturer, of course we now can literally walk
out after they've aligned it to the national qualification with
a certificate you say, listen, it was delivered by ABC
vehicle manufacturer. But you know they will be a number
like an occupational skills program number that actually gives me
(21:05):
a new mobility. You know, yes, there's going to be
a distinction between if it is a BMW that is
training or a VW or a Master or Toyota or
whatever but what's important with a national qualification. It all
goes back to the structure of a national organizer of
(21:26):
a national qualification in the country. So South Africa has
got what we call national qualifications.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
So what I'm gonna do, just because we've run out
of time RMI dot org dot z A, the Retail
Motor Industry Organization get in touch there for those of
you that want your young folks in the house or
maybe not even the so young folks, to get in
touch and find out about the accreditation
Seven o two, the car feature.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Twenty four minutes two three a clock time Foul Car
Feature and get in touch with us O dodible one
double three oh seven oh two in the WhatsApp line
oh seven two, seven oh two and seven o two.
We are joined as we chat about South Africa's first
A credited qualification for EV repair by Louis van Haistian,
who is the National Training Director at Retail Motor Industry
(00:25):
Organization or shortened as r M. I get in touch
with us odible one double A three oh seven oh
two and the WhatsApp line oh seven two, seven oh
two one seven o two.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Louis, welcome to the show. How are you doing.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
I'm good in yourself, LABU and thank you very much
for having myself and my colleague boy to melum Pania On,
the training director at RIM Iron Boys is our training manager.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Okay, great to meet you both. Louis chat to us
about a normal vehicle repairs that we need to be
aware of as lea South Africans, so that we can
also just get an understanding of the intricacies that go
into the training of vehicle repairs before we jump into.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
EV hundred percent label. Thank you very much.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
So vehicles do have life and limb components, critical and
safety vehicles, and it's always important for us as motorists
to realize that keeping our vehicles well maintained and making
sure that they were looked after, you know, we can
minimize and mitigate a fatal road accident. So maintenance and
(01:34):
repair vehicles very important. And we do have apprenticeships within
our offtermarket sector level that actually olp to train apprentices
either through public TVT colleges or through a private providers.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
What really goes into it the training and maybe we
can even take it a step backwards to ask what
are the requirements for you to go into training?
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Yr lebus, So, in terms of a new occupational certificates
in the country, you can actually enter an apprentice qualification
on the occupational certificates of which the qctos a custodian of,
with a qualification as low as a grade nine, you know,
obviously in an automotive motive mechanic and diesel mechanic and
(02:26):
so forth, A fair DeMont or a fair level of
understanding of mathematics and so forth obviously important, so and
a third of a curriculum level in motive mechanic and
diesel is nowadays a vehicle diagnostics, so the ability to
(02:47):
work on those diagnostic instruments and scanning tools important. So
you will find that some of the vehicle dealerships, by
way of example, they say minimum requirement is a grade twelve,
but you know you can actually go if you look
at the curriculum requirements and the entry level is a
grade nine, obviously you will just need to push a
little bit to also learn those You know that those
(03:11):
specific components.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Are their preferences in terms of subjects like maybe let's
say maths or science that one looks at when they
are selecting those that sort of can qualify to go
into training.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
It is a preference that you do have a fair
amount of mathematics and also some science. But label the
South African skill system have got a very strong backbone
and our requirements are very accommodating to really anyone that's
(03:45):
got a grade nine and up, you know, to go,
obviously you will need to put a little bit of
more shoulder to the will you know has got a
grade twelve obviously also needs to push out. But the
guy that's got a grade nine, you know, perhaps just
push a little bit o, but anything is possible. We
see it that some of the TVT colleges where guys
are really really deprived, you know that come from backgrounds
(04:09):
where you think, listen, how on earth is this car
going to market? Yeah, and then we've got good successes,
excellent successes with employers being very proud of them.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
What are some of the things that they learn from
a theory perspective before they actually start to get their
hands on a car.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
So it's interesting, labor and thanks for asking that question. So,
in terms of the occupational certificates that is now the
order of a day, South Africa has transitioned from legacy
to occupational. In the legacy dispensation, Messito was the custodian
(04:48):
with delivery models like curriculum based modular training and now
with a quality Council for Trades and occupations being the custodian.
The curriculum level consists of three components, so there's a knowledge,
there's assimilated practical in a workplace. So and that all
(05:08):
gets integrated in what is known as work integrated learning level.
So what is actually nice and what works very nice
that we've seen with some of the colleges like your
College of Cape Town and your pot Elizabeth TVTT College
that we're part of the DHET Center of Specialization program.
(05:30):
They actually managed to integrate the knowledge that the learners
learning class or the apprentices with assimilated practical in the workshop.
And then what happens quite nicely is they rotate from
the college to the workplace and that and they're at
the workplace, what we call work integrated.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Learning takes place.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
So it's a fully integrated system that actually works very
well if you've got a passionate facilitators or TVT lecturers,
you know, and we got some good examples of that
as well. And then obviously the support staff at the
campus also supports the TVET liners very well in terms of,
(06:10):
you know anything, you know, logistics and travel arrangements and
whatever comes across, you know, the young people's way in
order to get their qualifications.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Do you think that it helps for a young person
to have, you know, a big interest in cars? Does
that kind of make the process easier for them?
Speaker 4 (06:30):
It helps to have a big interest and a passion
in course. But I also want to mention to you
and the listener's label that we've seen ladies doing exceptionally
well in trades like vehicles spray painting, because ladies and
women see a color better than men.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
So I didn't even know men's see color. You just
taught me something new. I didn't know men's.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
See you know, Liver, it's interesting that you mentioned that.
So colors, if you look at vehicles in a vehicle park,
all of them do the normal I me and you
seem to be blue or white or green or whatever.
But if you get these, uh, these type of eyes
(07:20):
that can see into a color, you know, white is
not really white. There's a little bit of green or
blue or yellow or whatever in it.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
And that, like I refer to them as undertones. That's great,
you know why, because we do make up.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
So it's like knowing and understanding when you look at
someone's face if they've got warm undertones or yellow undertones
or so I get you.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
I get you totally.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
And the scribe painting and mixing, the colors, label and
so forth. So it's really really you know, opportunities of
they for men and women. Obviously, we want to attract
more ladies to the industry. You know, it's being perceived
as a mild dominated industry. But We've got some brilliant
examples of ladies that have completed they try getting employed
(08:10):
at employers, at vehicle dealerships and doing.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
The same and even a better than a mild counterparts.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
All right, we're going to take a break all of
your questions.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Oh double one double a three oh seven oh two
in the WhatsApp line oh seven two, seven oh two
one seven O.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
Two seven O two.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
The car features.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Fourteen minutes to three o'clock rather and we continue with
our car feature today chatting about South Africa's first accredited
qualification for EV repair. We're joined by Louis van Heistian,
who is the National Training direct at Retail Motor Industry
Organization r m I, and we take your calls on
(08:52):
oh double one double a three oh seven oh two
in the WhatsApp line oh seven two, seven oh two
and seven oh two. Especially if you have a young
person who is looking to get it into training. This
conversation is for you, Louis, when did you actually start
seeing that South Africa is picking up enough on electric
vehicles that we need to start developing training. I mean
(09:13):
we're not fully there yet because of load shedding and
so many things. The vehicles are still quite expensive. But
in terms of that, when did you start saying, hey,
we actually need to get our skin in the game.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Yet, Libel, thanks for that question.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Approximately five years ago we started looking at the trends
in terms of new energy vehicle souls and you will
recall at that time we got the Toyo or we
had the Toyota Prias that was sort of one of
the first hybrid vehicles. And since then what also made
(09:50):
a big impact and you know, we think helped the
process along is our president Drama Pausa announced to us
any state of a nation addressed over sometimes you know,
new new energy vehicles electric vehicles, and we've obviously have
got a white pape on ivy in the country as well.
So yes, you know, as we've seen in a growth
(10:12):
in vehicle in new energy vehicles, in particular electric the.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
A traditional hybrid vehicle.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
Vessels are really good last year in comparison with a
number of years ago, and for fully electric is also
starting to gain a lot more traction. You are right
in terms of affordability, but we've also now seen brands
like a BYD, you know, launching the BYD Serve for
three hundred and thirty nine thousand, and another one for
three eighty nine. So yes, I think we're going to
(10:45):
see a lot of competition in this market and that
created the need for this qualification.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
We do a lot as a as a trainer.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
From your side, what are some of the things that
you observe when young people come in to start to experience.
Do you think a lot of them are quite surprised
with what goes into it? Because I would imagine that
many men already think that they can lift the hood
of a car and figure out the problem. But some
of them you're like, why are you even opening the
(11:13):
hood because this car is very like taky and you know,
the only thing you can seize the hole to pour
water in.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (11:22):
So really that's a good question because what you've seen
is that unlike your traditional cars, with electric cars, there's
minimum stuff that you can check on the car, Like
even if you were to take it to a savist,
there's no match that you can do there. It's more
(11:43):
like three things that you have to check more on
your air conditioning breaks and so forth.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
So there's nothing.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
Really that you can do on that car.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
And for.
Speaker 5 (11:55):
People who are entering the sector, it is surprising that
it leans more on the electrical side modern the motor
mechanic site.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Oh you mean you mean where they are lacking an
info or where their interests lie the Oh okay, I'm
very surprised to hear that. Can you maybe share with
us why you think that is the case.
Speaker 5 (12:18):
I think that the case is more on obviously, looking
at our environment at the moment, the requirement is more
on the electric side, more than your traditional high breath
or your ice cars.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
In terms of you know, passing down that knowledge. And
I mean, I think Louis you you possibly be able
to speak to this. We still have a whole lot
of much older vehicles that have a different way of
being fixed. There is a whole new generation that has
not even been inside a car like a bug where
(12:56):
you'd go to the back expecting to store things and
then find, you know, a whole engine there.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
How do you.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Ensure that all of that information is still keeping with
young people because many people are still loving their older
vehicles or their vintages and their collecting correct level.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Excellent question. So South Africa has got the benefit.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
We've got a vehicle bok arranging from older vehicles to
very very new vehicles. And as I've mentioned earlier, our
legislation and our skills backbone and the spine of our
skills development is extremely strong. So we get the likes
(13:42):
of private providers and TVT colleges that really do accommodate
learners from a wide range, and they expose themselves to
older cars. Myself and Botemilia had the privilege to go
into a couple of training providers and TVT colleges, so
you'll see the likes of training vehicles.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
It will be older vehicles.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
You know, Afford as a company made a condemnation that
many of the Tavet colleges received a Ford Ranger Bucky,
and you know that was a couple of years ago
as well, and you know, we are thankful and grateful,
you know, so that villainers can be exposed to a
wide range coming to electric vehicles in terms of what's
(14:25):
unfolding now. And you actually caught us on a very
good day to day because tomorrow is the first day
of a MESSITA scoping and profiling meeting for the city qualification.
So I think you have got a breaking new store.
So yeah, so tomorrow afternoon at two it's going to
(14:45):
be a virtual session from two until off post full.
So we will have a likes of some of the
manufacturers that's going to sent representatives and some other subject
matter experts and we have got a lady that's a
facilitator going to facilitate the process, you know, forma SITA.
I appointed it in the QCTO gav blessing and be
(15:07):
very thankful so that we can have a national recognized
qualification in the country.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Which we know is exceptionally important to have it recognized
and accredited so that you know you're not getting scammed
in the process. And we know this the motor industry
is one where many are susceptible to be scammed because
of the lack of awareness and certain details.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Do Melo maybe chat to me really about are.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
The opportunities for people that maybe aren't eighteen nineteen fresh
out of school that decide, you know what, I want
to pivot or I actually have a passion for cars
and I want to take the time to go and
learn how to just help my own car.
Speaker 5 (15:49):
Yeah, because this is quite new, there's still an opportunity
for people who have not for people who does not
have experience in the sector to come and you know,
with like with any other skill, it's something that you
learn and it's a lifetime skill. You can use it
any time. It is not something that only limits you
(16:12):
up to a certain age group. So if you learn now,
you can still use it even no retirement.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
And what kind of career opportunities And this is not
just to the EV but in general, Louis can a
person get.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
Access to if.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
They are listening and they quite interested in pursuing this,
we know we've got a whole lot of matriculence that
some of them next year they don't even have plans
or direction of what they'd like to do a libel.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
Again, you're asking a lot of good questions.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
So this one, this one is my job.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
I have to I know that.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
I know that.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
So libert actually creates for opportunity to just emphasize some
a good work at some of our seatas, especially W
and R STA. I've got an ice portal in terms
of career guidance which mom, dad, anyone can a click
on and it will explain the process very very easily.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Messita has also got lots of information on careers.
Speaker 4 (17:21):
Messita has got a career a bus believe it or not,
that moves around the country and actually informs our young
people in the rural and urban areas and so forth.
So I think it creates an opportunity also for our colleagues,
you know at the department you know, education and basic education,
(17:44):
in terms of getting some of our industry colleagues involved.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
You know, we see that some of the other countries.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
In the world invite like a multi mechanic, or invite
like a firefighter, and invite like a surgeon or a
fighter pilot or whatever into the classroom. So it might
just create an opportunity for our departments to also think
about that. You know, even at a young age, if
you can install something like becoming a motor mechanic and
(18:15):
a child at five six years old, that image might
stick and you will say, listen, my mom is doing it,
my daddy's doing it, my nephew is doing it, my
cousin is doing it. You know, maybe I can try
my hand in it. And you know, I've learned from
the College of Cape Town facilitator Rashid Arikari. Rashid always
has got a saying to you, and he says it
to me quite often, and too, Boytomelu Louis skills I
(18:38):
can teach, but passion I can't. So you know that's
important also for young people to realize if you know,
if I've got agreement a passion, anything is achievable.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
That can become anything.
Speaker 4 (18:53):
And I think for us, as you know, organizations, entities,
media and so forth, you know, we can do a
little bit better in terms of promoting you know, certain careers,
you know, certain industries. You know, there's some snazzy words
if you look at the skills jargon, they talk about
horizontal articulation and vertical articulation. But for grade eleven and
(19:15):
a twelve, you know, labor, it's actually up to us
to explain to say, yes, if I'm a motor mechanic,
I can actually go this way.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
Left or right, up and down.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
And then finally, how do you get the motor industry
and all the manufacturers to actually participate in the training
because the more different models the better, especially when we
see how the Chinese are changing the game.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
Yeah, leve a good question.
Speaker 4 (19:42):
So what will happen is if we manage to poll
through and I've got one hundred and ten percent confidence
in the mesta of a facilitator that I've appointed we've
got the QCTO behind us. For DHET, a guylikes a
Bailibertilezi at the DHET and is a chief director in
(20:02):
charge of Center of Specialization at TVET colleges.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
They are looking with very, very keen interest.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
So a national recognized qualification in electric vehicles or electro
mobility is really going to create an opportunity for the
likes of manufacturers to say, yes, we are doing training
already and they can call it product specific training, or
they go into vehicle dealerships or approved motor body repairs
(20:30):
and they do training. Now they will have an opportunity
to align their material that they are using now to
the national recognized qualification.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
So if me, you, BOTOMELU.
Speaker 4 (20:43):
Attend a manufacturer, of course we now can literally walk
out after they've aligned it to the national qualification with
a certificate you say, listen, it was delivered by ABC
vehicle manufacturer. But you know they will be a number
like an occupational skills program number that actually gives me
(21:05):
a new mobility. You know, yes, there's going to be
a distinction between if it is a BMW that is
training or a VW or a Master or Toyota or
whatever but what's important with a national qualification. It all
goes back to the structure of a national organizer of
(21:26):
a national qualification in the country. So South Africa has
got what we call national qualifications.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
So what I'm gonna do, just because we've run out
of time RMI dot org dot z A, the Retail
Motor Industry Organization get in touch there for those of
you that want your young folks in the house or
maybe not even the so young folks, to get in
touch and find out about the accreditation
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