The Gauteng Department of Economic Development, through the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), will officially relaunch the Gauteng Automotive Learning Centre (GALC) as the Manufacturing Centre of Excellence on Thursday, 16 July 2026, at the Automotive Supplier Park in Rosslyn. The relaunch marks the next chapter for a facility that has been developing skills for the automotive sector for more than a decade. Since opening its doors in 2013, the centre has trained 24 631 learners, supporting artisan development, technical upskilling and supplier capability across the automotive value chain. 

The Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will house high-tech learning infrastructures focusing on lean smart factory manufacturing. The transformed facility has been designed to respond to the evolving needs of modern manufacturing, with a stronger focus on advanced production technologies, automation, mechatronics, robotics, lean manufacturing and new energy vehicle (NEV) skills. The CEO of the AIDC Gauteng Mr Andile Africa highlighted that, “The Centre of Excellence ensures that Gauteng’s automotive workforce becomes highly competitive, agile, and explicitly prepared for the future of global production”. 

Upgrading this facility into a Manufacturing Centre of Excellence allows the province to bridge the gap between emerging technology and critical industry skills. “Recent developments in Rosslyn, particularly Chery's entry into the market, reinforce the province's position as a key automotive manufacturing hub and highlights the growing need for a workforce equipped with future-focused technical skills. This Manufacturing Centre of Excellence represents a profound step forward in cementing Gauteng’s status as Africa’s premier industrial and economic hub”, said Ms. Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development. 

The event will bring together government, industry leaders, training institutions, OEMs, suppliers and development partners to showcase how industry-led skills development can support investment, localisation and economic growth.