Hollard spearheads artisan training programme for young learners

Hollard Insure, the Hollard Group’s short-term insurance arm, has taken a bold step towards tackling youth unemployment in South Africa by spearheading an artisan training programme in the Free State.

The company partnered with an accredited Bloemfontein-based testing and training centre, C3 Auto Body Repair Academy, to run the apprenticeship programme. To date, 22 qualified artisans from Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba ‘Nchu have graduated and are ready to join the workforce.

“South Africa has a shortage of artisans needed to sustain industries and support key sectors. There is a high rate of experienced artisans retiring, while others are emigrating. There is also a decline in the number of learners entering artisanal programmes. We saw a gap and decided to be part of the solution,” says Marvin Tshezi, Hollard Insure’s Head of Claims Procurement & ESD, and the lead on this project.

The Hollard Insure Artisan Programme provides hands-on training to young graduates interested in the craft. The programme includes theoretical training, practical sessions and on-the-job experience, allowing the graduates to develop their skills in real-world settings.

The newly qualified graduates have been trained for three years in panelbeating and spraypainting, as well as other automotive repair techniques, and they are equipped to start their careers in the auto body industry.

They have also gained experience working on various vehicles, from small cars to large trucks, and have learned how to work with a range of materials and tools.

Tshezi says the programme is the first of its kind and a resounding success, with 22 out of the first group of 27 learners graduating.

“I’m so proud of this programme. It started as an idea and has culminated into an initiative that is changing lives. It’s heartwarming to see the youth from disadvantaged backgrounds getting an opportunity to become skilled workers who contribute to the economy,” he said.

The programme is personal to Tshezi, who says he got a start on his career through a similar initiative, one that taught him valuable skills that set him up to win at an early age.

Many of the graduates have already secured employment with leading auto repair shops, while others plan on starting their own businesses.

A graduate and recipient of the special prize for showing promise during the programme, Nosiko Stuurman says she cannot believe she is graduating after three tough years of training.

“I am a single mother, and this learnership gave me a chance to give my baby girl the life she deserves. I studied information technology and could not get a job once I qualified. When my friend first told me about this training programme, I grabbed it with both hands.

“At first, it was daunting because I didn’t know much about automotive painting, but I grew to enjoy the programme over time. This opportunity has given me a skill and a dream to one day own the biggest automotive painting company in SA,” she says proudly.

Stuurman is one of several females in the programme who say they were not intimidated by the male-dominated industry. Throughout the programme, they competed with their male counterparts and successfully executed tasks.

Busisiwe Maile, the director of C3 Auto Body Repair Academy, says this programme has taught young learners practical skills and has given them real-world experience.

“We’re proud to have played a small part in helping these graduates pursue their dreams and build successful careers in the industry,” she says.

“This initiative is our purpose in action. We are tackling South Africa’s youth unemployment one initiative at a time. It’s part of our commitment to help create and secure better futures,” says Hollard Insure CEO Nash Omar. “We’ve set up the programme with the aim of duplicating it in the future, providing even more young people with the opportunity to learn artisan skills – and also enjoy better futures.”

Issued by Flow Communications on behalf of Hollard. For more information, please contact ayanda@flowsa.com