Articles

2000 LEARNERS BENEFIT FROM DUNLOP MANUFACTURER’S CAREER DAYS

"Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (PTY) LTD (SRSA), manufacturer of the popular Dunlop tyre brand, recently held its inaugural Sumitomo Rubber South Africa Career Day at two local schools as part of activities to commemorate the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth in July. Approximately 2000 learners benefitted from the activities held at Steadville High School on 19 July and Bhekintuthuko High School in Umcitsheni on 20 July."

Skilled professionals employed at SRSA addressed learners as part of the programme, providing information on the varied career options available to them within the automotive and manufacturing industries. This was aimed at better equipping learners to make suitable subject choices that would enable them to pursue a wide range of career paths. SRSA also distributed stationery packs and a lunch pack for the day to all pupils at both schools.

SRSA Chief Executive Officer Riaz Haffejee, said: “This two-day event was a demonstration of one of our corporate social investment pillars of education. As a company, we believe that education is the greatest weapon of change and a tool to eradicate poverty. We also believe that our role within the automotive industry at large can be used for community development, entrepreneurship and transformation of our economy. The career days tie in with other initiatives already in place at these schools, which include our tutoring of learners in Mathematics and Physics.”

Some of the areas of speciality that grade 8-12 learners were exposed to through presentations and discussions led by SRSA representatives included Legal, Supply Chain, Information Technology, Training and Development, Safety, Public Relations, Chemical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Labour and Finance. SRSA speakers shared their personal study and career paths that eventually led to their employment at one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the world.

Since 2014 SRSA has been progressing with a multi-billion-rand investment into its Ladysmith manufacturing plant, creating growth and a brighter future in the local community. To support the factory expansion, SRSA has already been recruiting for specialist positions, graduate programmes and learnerships that could change the lives of local learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Learnership opportunities have been granted to local applicants recruited proportionally across various areas in Ladysmith, who will eventually be absorbed into the system and employed as production staff.