Block Exemption Update
The development of the new Electric Vehicle (EV) skills pathway continues to make strong progress.
The programme is structured across three levels, with Level 1 aimed at shop assistants and support staff, progressing through to Level 3, which is intended for qualified artisans working directly on EVs.
Level 1 approval and the next phases
We are pleased to confirm that merSETA and the QCTO have now approved the Level 1 qualification, with the programme expected to be reflected on the relevant official platforms shortly.
Development of the next phases is also underway, with the formal scoping of the Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications taking place on 1 September.
Recognising panel beaters in EV training
The RMI Training Department, led by Louis van Huyssteen, has been instrumental in driving this process and has made an invaluable contribution alongside the SAMBRA Training Committee.
Their involvement has been particularly important in ensuring that panel beaters are appropriately recognised within the EV skills pathway and are not excluded from this critical area of future skills development.
As SAMBRA has consistently maintained:
“The panel beater is the automotive industry generalist. It would be irresponsible not to give them the skills to safely work on a structurally compromised vehicle.”
This is another important step towards ensuring that South Africa’s motor body repair sector has the skills required to safely repair the next generation of vehicles.
