Q
: How important is the re-industrialisation of
the SA economy?
A
: Re-industrialisation will help claw back the jobs lost in
industrial production and also create more jobs, in line
with the objectives of the NDP.
It is very important and should be done along the path of
imports substitution industrialisation aimed at reducing
import penetration and ensuring that domestic companies and
factories are supported or revived. This is in line with the ideals
of localisation and designation, which have broad benefits for
companies and the economy. Re-industrialisation is also good
for state procurement processes as it ensures that inputs are
sourced locally, thereby building local capacity.
Q
: What should be the role of Government in
reversing the fortunes of the sector?
A
: The Government should continue to provide policy
support and ensure that structured policy reforms also
include sub-sectors in the metals and engineering cluster. Given
that each sub-sector is unique, a systematic sub-component
approach in designing policies and interventions towards an
overall improvement of the economy is recommended.
The State should provide investment incentives to attract
much-needed investments into the M&E cluster and also pursue
indicative planning for all industrial sectors as the process will
induce spending and investment.
Measures should also be put in place to ensure that all
procurements done by the State and State-owned companies
do not deviate from any applicable or existing designation or
localisation requirements.
Q
A
: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
: Companies should also ensure that important issues
relating to the next-generation technologies are
embraced – much to their advantages. The fourth industrial
revolution is upon us. Considerations should, therefore, be
given to the advent of new technologies’ industrial internet
of things, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data and
robotics. Some local casting companies have embraced modern
manufacturing, while some local steel mills are also catching up
with international standards by becoming automated. This is
good for the broader steel industry and efforts should be made
also to ensure that local labour is trained to complement the
use of technology.
FR Research
congratulates SEIFSA
on its 75th anniversary
We are very proud to be working with SEIFSA on
research projects to better understand the skills
needs of the metals and engineering industries.
We look forward to continuing our relationship in
the future.
FR Research provides the following services to
employers in the metals and engineering
industries:
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Skills audits
Workplace skills planning
Managing the training function
Intermediary for managing external
training providers
Staff development
Managing corporate social responsibility
projects
Job profiling
Performance appraisals
Coaching and mentoring
Instructor training
Customised training courses
Strategy development
For more information on our services, contact
Prof Hoosen Rasool:
+27 11 064 1600
+27 83 786 9329
[email protected]
www.frresearch.co.za
SEIFSA AT 75 SEIFSA AT 75 - SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE MAGAZINE
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