Local production of the next-generation Nissan Navara is expected to create an estimated 1 200 new jobs in the automotive sector.

Manufacturing is expected to begin at Nissan’s Rosslyn-based facility in 2020, where output is expected to grow by more than 50%.

Growing the facility’s capacity to this level would require a two-shift operation, which would result in the immediate creation of an additional 400 jobs, Nissan said in a statement last week.

“Nissan has a deep understanding of the need to invest in skills development in a meaningful way, not just for our benefit, in terms of having a skilled workforce at our technologically advanced vehicle manufacturing plant in Rosslyn, but also for the benefit of all the eager, young minds in this country, who are simply seeking opportunities to improve themselves,” Nissan Group Africa MD Mike Whitfield said in the statement.

Speaking at the recent announcement of the company’s decision to manufacture the next-generation Navara locally, President Cyril Ramaphosa touted the automotive sector as “an essential part of the industrialisation of the economy”.

Nissan quoted the President as having said that “the sector is a reliable partner and also a dependable ally, as it has demonstrated by this investment, on our path to position manufacturing as a catalyst to development and inclusive growth”.

Nissan further said that it had, in partnership with the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), built an incubation and training centre at the Rosslyn manufacturing facility, through which a five-year training and mentorship programme is offered.

This programme serves to equip entrepreneurs with the skills they need to run their companies, with the AIDC focusing on providing them with the business skills they need and Nissan focusing on giving them the necessary technical know-how.

“Programme hopefuls subject themselves to a rigorous selection process, which includes multiple rounds of interviews, as well as a two-day assessment, incorporating psychometrics, role-play and a case study,” the AIDC’s Dineshan Moodley explained.

From here, successful candidates are enrolled in the programme and taught about assembly line layout, process optimisation, efficiency improvements, housekeeping, finance management, human resource management, payroll overview, company taxes, cost management and quality management systems.

Through this programme, eight new black-owned suppliers have so far been developed, and plans are in place to develop five more.