Caterpillar
The distribution centre, which was officially opened on
31 August 2017, is Caterpillar’s largest investment in physical
assets in Africa to date and its first such facility in Africa.
the course can also positively affect them in
getting a place in such a programme, because they
have already shown initiative and commitment in
doing the online course.”
According to Picard, Caterpillar has also been
offering the programme to trade schools, high
schools, and universities, as well as reaching out
to ministries of education across the African
continent. A number of the educational
institutions have shown interest and have started
to integrate the course into their offerings.
Charter highlighted the current global
demand for technicians. “When we went into
the global downturn, people stopped focusing
on where the next technicians would come
from. Now that things are picking up, demand
is growing and people are starting to realise that
there aren’t enough technicians around — and
that’s worldwide, not just in Africa. And that’s
where our Technicians for Africa programme
comes in.”
making a commitment to serving South Africa
and the broader region. As a leading American
company, you are setting an example for others,
and I applaud you for taking this step.”
Training and skills development
Moving forward
Speaking of the future and the outlook for
Caterpillar and the industries in which its
products are used, Charter said, “We’re very
optimistic going forward. The world’s population
is growing and the overal