|
|
 |
| |
CSI
The SpazAL Initiative
Bringing Aluminium to the Township and Rural Markets
As part of Wispeco's initiatives to train and invest in young Black entrepreneurs, Wispeco Aluminium created a program early in 2006 called the SpazAL project. The main focus of the project is to penetrate the township and rural markets and at the same time empower and support upcoming entrepreneurs in the construction industry.
| Typical Spaza-shop + aluminium products = |  |
Business and Technical Training
The Wispeco Institute, with the support of the MERSETA, presents formal new venture creation learnership programs to young unemployed people from previously disadvantaged communities in Gauteng, Limpopo and the Western Cape. The purpose of this learnership is to equip entrepreneurs to start and manage their own businesses. In addition to the business training, Wispeco also introduces high quality technical training on the various Wispeco products. The practical technical training is done in workshops where the entrepreneurs learn to fabricate their own aluminium windows, doors, garage doors and showers.
Disadvantaged Communities
Aluminium is the new generation product that competes well as a substitute to steel and wood in the residential window and door market. One of the main priorities of the SpazAL project is to support African, Indian and Colored entrepreneurs from the rural areas. Although aluminium fabrication and installation businesses are traditionally managed by men, more women are entering the playing field and the ladies are starting to build a reputation for good quality products. Wispeco is also investing in the up-skilling of men and ladies from the deaf community to become qualified aluminium fabricators.
Tangible Contributions
As part of Wispeco's drive to uplift and support young black entrepreneurs in the aluminium market, the company believes in kick-starting the new businesses. This is really putting your money where your mouth is!
The top performers from last year's program were in the fortunate position to receive business start-up support. This support was in the form of ready-made workshops in shipping containers, tools, equipment, marketing material and brand new Toyota bakkies. Wispeco donated more than R1,3 million to the SpazAL business set-up program during 2008. The 10 new businesses are coached and mentored for a couple of years in order to ensure their success and sustainability in the construction industry. Wispeco is keeping a close eye on these businesses and is watching their progress with anticipation!
Providing Franchise Support
The SpazAL name is a Wispeco-registered trade mark. The use of the SpazAL brand name is available by franchise contract with Wispeco. The aluminium business owner enters into an agreement with Wispeco for the use of the SpazAL brand name in a specific geographic region. In this way, Wispeco has established the brand name in Soweto, Mamelodi, Rustenburg, Soshanguve, Tembisa, Vosloorus and other areas.
The franchise agreement brings the advantage of Wispeco's marketing, technical and business mentoring support. The Wispeco approved products and systems are also available to the franchisees. Wispeco provides the aluminium business with marketing material, SpazAL sign boards, business cards, wall charts and the like. In addition to technical product support and assistance with quotations and tenders, the small businesses also receives access to Starfront, a computerized costing and cutting program which helps the user to optimizes production.
Aluminium Window and Door Short Courses for Everyone
In addition to the formal learnership, the Wispeco Institute also offers short courses in architectural aluminium systems to existing and prospective fabricators and contractors. This practical skills training is highly regarded in the industry and more than 600 people have been trained in the past year.
After a brief theory session, each student practically builds the sample of his/her choice in a special training workshop. The training at heart wants to support quality standards as well as develop entrepreneurs in the aluminium industry.
Training classes are offered in training workshops in Alberton, Durban, Richard's Bay, Tzaneen and Cape Town. No previous aluminium experience is required to register for fabrication training. Simply choose the product you wish to be trained on and then book for the class. Registration fee of R250 per person per course is charged and booking forms and training schedules are available at (011) 389 0061.
The products that are being trained are Wispeco's Aluminium Garage Doors, Casement Windows, Sliding Windows, Shopfronts, Sliding Doors, Stacking and Folding Doors, Showers, Insect Screens and Hatches. A new course focusing on basic workshop skills such as cutting, machining, safety and caring for workshop equipment has just been introduced. Detailed pictures of the different windows and doors can be found at www.wispeco.co.za. Click on "Architectural Systems".
The Wispeco Institute forms part of Wispeco Aluminium. The school and SpazAL initiate is managed by Tina Badenhorst. For further information about these and other related initiatives, contact Neo on 011 389 0048 or spazal@wispeco.co.za or via the Wispeco website at www.wispeco.co.za.
Wispeco thanks Remgro, its shareholder for its continued support in stimulating the South African aluminium industry and uplifting the local community through the ventures of the Wispeco Institute.
|
|
|
