Training centre workshop launched in Bedfordview
Historically, accident repairs were outsourced through the RT46 Transversal Contract by the National Treasury of South Africa.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has launched a new panel beating and apprenticeship training workshop to benefit the informal business sector, graduates and entrepreneurs.
The event was at the G-Fleet management head office in Bedfordview on October 20.
G-Fleet Management is a trading entity of the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport providing vehicle leasing and fleet management services for the public sector in SA whose clients include national, provincial (Gauteng) and local government departments.
The new workshop will offer full cycle panel beating services for all G-Fleet vehicles involved in accidents.
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The initiative will also improve cost control, turnaround times, and the quality of repairs and produce qualified artisans through its built-in training facility for technical training and skills development.
The director of the fleet maintenance unit, Sifiso Mhlongo, said the fleet management services have an enormous impact on service delivery or the lack thereof.
He explained that part of their services is fleet maintenance, which entails mechanical repairs, panel beating, towing and recovery of vehicles.
“Accident repairs are one of the major cost drivers for G-Fleet. Our objective is to assist G-Fleet to be in total control of a major part of its value chain, which impacts the quality of the fleet, turnaround times, customer satisfaction and G-Fleet’s self-sustainability,” said Mhlongo.
He said the facility would be manufacturer-approved, enabling all repairs to meet the manufacturer’s strict criteria and standards, with a plan to obtain industry RMI-SAMBRA and MERSETA accreditation.
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G-Fleet’s acting CEO, Puleng Gadebe Mabaso, said this was the transformation of G-Fleet management.
“Our team has worked tirelessly to create a state-of-the-art facility equipped with cutting-edge technology and staffed by skilled professionals.
“This workshop is not just a physical space. It is a hub of creativity, precision, and passion for the automotive industry.”
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport’s head of the department, Dr Thulani Mdadane, said the workshop is also about investing in people and the future.
“Through the apprenticeship training programme, we are building internal capacity and developing skills among our workforce.”
The launch saw the department cement its partnership with the Automotive Industry Development Centre.
