Gibela invests in educational support for Ekurhuleni schools
Educational support for learners, educators from early learning to post matric has been the focus thus far of Gibela's support to historically disadvantaged communities in Ekurhuleni.
As part of Gibela’s contribution to community development, education has been the company’s priority for learners and educators from early learning to post matric.
Gibela has made a R6.7-million investment in Saturday maths, science and English classes to support 450 learners in Grades 10, 11 and 12 at 17 Ekurhuleni schools.
In addition, a free railway introduction course that’s run in conjunction with Ekurhuleni East College is proving popular with senior secondary school pupils and students from tertiary institutions.
Gibela has already employed more than 400 people full-time although the number is expected to grow to almost 1 500 at full production.
More than 200 South African engineers and technicians, including 80 women have been trained and deployed as full-time Gibela employees.
Fifty skilled and semi-skilled artisans and technicians have been recruited and 65 apprentices selected to begin their apprenticeships at the site training centre.
With bursaries worth R25-million rewarded to 250 SA students for studies in rail-related fields at tertiary institutions, Gibela is expecting its training centre to skill 19 500 people for careers across SA’s rail sector.
To meet its demanding local content requirement of at least 60%, Gibela has on-boarded 54 SA suppliers to supply materials, parts and services.
In the process, the company’s activities have supported more than 4 700 jobs.
In addition, a specific “local-local” sourcing strategy within Gibela’s broader sourcing function is being deployed to ensure that small, medium and micro enterprises and, in particular, those owned by black women, based closest to the factory are prioritised for business.
