Jewellery designers dazzle

Gauteng’s MEC for Economic Development, Nkosiphendule Kolisile, officially launched an exciting new chapter in Gauteng’s commercial jewellery design development, at Rand Refinery, in Germiston, last Thursday.

The Commercial Jewellery Design Project is a pilot training programme for candidates with a background in jewellery design and manufacturing.

It is aimed at improving the commercial jewellery design capacity in Gauteng and it will support the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) in its Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) initiative.

The GGDA is the implementation arm of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, and the Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct is an anchor project of which the OR Tambo IDZ is a part.

“We will work hand-in-hand with Ekurhuleni to strengthen the manufacturing industry in the region,” said Kolisile.

“We have fiercely supported the establishment of the IDZ as a tool for economic growth and believe that jewellery manufacturing is a section of the value chain with the greatest potential to increase value addition to precious metals, incorporating employment creation, entrepreneurship opportunities and foreign revenue generation.

“We have to acknowledge Ekurhuleni for trying to advance the manufacturing economy and promoting skills development.”

The training programme will equip students with the optimal mix of theoretical and practical training.

It will also assist them in driving market demand, to support jewellery manufacturing in Gauteng and within the IDZ.

“Design @ 50 is a commercial jewellery design centre that focuses on developing the jewellery designs of tomorrow,” said project officer Edna du Bruyn.

“We are happy to announce that, through our tertiary institution partner, the University of Johannesburg, the course will be formalised as a post graduate qualification for national diploma graduates in jewellery design and manufacture.

“We have already seen interest from the industry wanting to employ successful candidates, but our hope is that they will become entrepreneurs and remain with us in this facility, that will become an incubation hub for commercially focused jewellery design.”
Guests and the media invited to the launch of the design centre were briefed by stakeholders from the industry and government on what the programme entails.

They toured the training facility and met some of the students who are part of the programme.

At the end of April, the project moved from the Jewellery Council of South Africa to its new customised premises, at Rand Refinery.

“The premises have been provided rent free by Rand Refinery and will allow the site to be used as an incubator for the qualified learners, as part of the Jewellery Village they are establishing,” said Siphiwe Ngwenya, CEO of the GGDA.

“One of the most exciting aspects of the Jewellery Design and Manufacturing programme is the care that has gone into designing the curriculum.

“This project provides a winning combination of design skills and the integration of market research with product development.

“Beneficiaries will gain valuable practical work experience and be exposed to international jewellery product development.

“Natal Wholesale Jewellers, Galaxy Jewellers, American Swiss and Sterns will offer the learners internships with jewellery buyers, as well as workplace training.”

For more information on the programme visit www.ggda.co.za.