DIY Trade News Oct 2013 | Page 22

DIY Trade News October 2013 22 news Spotlight Feature Contractors visit new training facility The SA Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA) and its training arm, the SA Paint Industry Training Institute (SAPITI) recently staged an extremely successful ‘Open Day’ for painting contractors at SAPMA’s new Centre of Excellence in Springs. The contractors were given a tour of the complex and training facilities during which they saw students currently undergoing training, and were briefed on future plans for the Centre of Excellence. The entire training curriculum was explained and demonstrations of the training procedures were staged. The Chemical Industry Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) also spelt out the benefits of paint applicators utilising the government’s Work Skills Development Plan to obtain financial assistance for the training of applicators. Deryck Spence, executive director of SAPMA, says the painting contractors were extremely impressed with what they regarded as a long overdue training facility for the coatings sector. “Several of the contractors indicated that they wanted to send staff for application training as soon as possible, and also showed strong interest in joining SAPMA,” states Spence, adding, “We offered generous discounts in training costs for the contractors in attendance, and we are planning another Open Day for contractors later this year.” The Centre of Excellence’s first intake of students took place on July 1 this year and the students are currently undergoing training incorporating practical paint application in the course, NQF level 2-6 Technical Training and Business Training for the Retail Sector, which is also open to non-technical students. Training at the Centre of ?????????????????????????????????)????????????????????????????????????????????????????????()-?????!???????????????????????????-?????A???????????????????????????????????)???????????????????????????????????????????????a=???????d?????????MA5?MA%Q$) ???????????????????M????????????M???????????????MA5?()?????????????)Q??????????????)]?????????????????((