For 27-year-old Sandile Mungwe, the training and subsequent employment he has received at Cartrack has proven to be life-changing in more ways than one. Sandile has always had an aptitude for auto mechanical work, but has received limited opportunities to maximise his talents owing to prevailing socio- economic circumstances that he faced.
Employed at a scrap-yard in Soweto, Sandile’s fortune’s changed when he was hired in 2016 as a cleaner at the Cartrack head office in Rosebank. Cartrack is a leading global fleet management, vehicle tracking and insurance telematics technology company. Sandile worked hard and with dedication in his new role, and his technical talent was subsequently recognised by the company when he was included in Cartrack’s technicians training programme in October, 2017.
Having performed well throughout the course, Sandile was ultimately employed full-time by Cartrack, where he currently works as a technician – a significant move forward from his initial role at the company.
He acknowledges how life-changing this development has been.
“I am extremely grateful to have been part of the programme. It’s been a fantastic career opportunity that has given me the chance to earn a good living and upgrade my life. I am acquiring skills that are on par with the education I would have received at a technical college.”
Sandile’s success is a prime example of the positive impact that Cartrack’s technicians’ training programme is creating for South Africans with obvious potential, but limited access to career opportunities. The course is designed to give participants the practical, work-related skills they need to forge long-term careers.
Cartrack South Africa places about 150 trainees per year in this course, which it runs from a training centre at its head office in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Since its initial launch, the training centre has successfully upskilled almost 500 fully qualified technicians.
Cartrack South Africa CEO, Andre Ittmann, explains how the course creates long term benefits for participants.
“High technical standards are an essential part of the Cartrack business, and we apply the same standards to the way we train technicians. Our elite training methods gives participants the opportunity to develop market relevant skills that are specifically suited to the telematics sector and build a meaningful, long term career.”
To qualify for the programme, applicants must meet a set of basic criteria. Requirements include a senior matric certificate, a valid driver’s license, basic auto-electrical knowledge and experience, and a passion for vehicles. Once accepted into the programme, trainees complete a range of on-the-job modules, including a basic auto-electrical course and tutoring on Cartrack’s different product packages and tracking device installations.
Ittmann concludes that Mungwe’s story is reflective of the short and long-term benefits of the course.
“Sandile’s story is a common one– the course definitively opens up new opportunities for people with talent and an ability to work hard. Those who manage to complete the course gain excellent skills, while Cartrack always has access to a sustainable talent pipeline.
“As such, the technician’s training course not only benefits Cartrack, but also aids skills and career development in underserved communities, thereby alleviating poverty and providing a better and more sustainable life for numerous people. Undoubtedly, Cartrack would not have achieved our current strong position were it not for the significant investment we undertake to develop talent in-house.”
