May 01, 2024 MISA, Motor Industry Staff Association, Martlé Keyter, MISA Young Worker’s Forum and Women’s Forum, Career Expo’s
MISA setting the trend in skills development
MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, is at the forefront of skills development and training of its members and workplace-based learning for learners who wants to become a part of the retail motor industry.
Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations, says the Union takes a holistic approach to address skills shortages in South Africa, with specific focus on the Union’s more than 64 000 members and their children, where every day is Workers Day. In celebration of Worker’s Day Keyter adhered to the call of Prof Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and innovation, to publicise all MISA’s skills development initiatives.
According to Keyter, MISA gives meaning to the words of late President Nelson Mandela when he opened a school in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape in 1995. He said: “Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth, those who care for and protect our people.”
Keyter says MISA believes that these words also applies to all workers. MISA collaborates with various stakeholders, taking into account the needs of our members and their children, while ensuring that the education provided is relevant within our industry, at legitimate educational institutions. The MISA Young Worker’s Forum and Women’s Forum also hosts initiatives nationwide with Career Expo’s introducing the retail motor industry to learners, providing career guidance and job shadowing opportunities to those interested.
“To successful applicants, MISA gives bursaries and study assistance to members and their children at accredited universities, TVET Colleges and private training providers, enabling them to access much needed education and training. Members and learners in rural areas are not left behind,” says Keyter.
Keyter agrees with Nzimande that greater collaboration is needed to ensure sustainable skills development. He said this is particularly important because of the unacceptably high number of unemployed young people without any formal education, employment or training. “It is estimated that more than 3,3 million young people in our country, between the ages of 15-24 are uneducated, untrained and unemployed,” the Minister said. According to him a targeted approach will ensure proper skills planning, funding, quality assurance and monitoring to achieve a skilled and competitive workforce that contributes to economic growth and social development.
Keyter says on 9 May MISA’s Forums will host 667 Grade 11 and 12 learners nationwide at six schools in Durban, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, Cape Town and Soweto. “We don’t leave our members behind, continuing to equip them for the evolution of our industry. Not all members qualify for tertiary education therefor MISA provides three Soft Skills training interventions per annum, that is job related allowing members to up their skills,” says Keyter.
Apr 23, 2025 0
Apr 22, 2025 0
Apr 18, 2025 0