Telecommunication installation skills provided for the SMME
1 March 2000
News
Kieth Rhode
With over 300 000 SMMEs (small, medium and micro enterprises) contributing to the economy in South Africa today, their use by larger organisations on a contracting basis is fast becoming a reality. However, in the so-called 'hard-entry' industries such as manufacturing, construction and telecommunication, SMME's participation as sub-contractors is limited due to lack of training, skills transfer and a dearth of large-scale organisations willing to sub-contract installation work to smaller concerns.
This is according to Plessey, one company in the telecommunications sector that claims it is addressing these issues. Plessey is one of South Africa's largest black-owned telecommunications companies and is committed to a comprehensive empowerment programme that has already resulted in over 1000 people being provided with skills training in the telecommunication sector.
With the help of local communities, Plessey says it identifies people that are put through a sub-contractor selection process and trained with telecommunication installation and service skills that gives them the expertise to continue working in the telecommunications field. The programme is designed to establish sub-contractor skills necessary to install telephones in all areas from sub-urban developments right through to rural communities.
Future team leaders and telecom workers are trained at Plessey's Training Centre in Aeroton, Johannesburg.
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