Pepclo opens training school
25 September 2007

Following through on its promise to deliver more to its staff and customers, Pep Clothing (Pepclo), PEP’s manufacturing division, announces today the official opening of a specialized training school. The school will help at least 360 people every year to become machinists and will also offer additional training for current employees. The training school was born out of an initiative between Pepkor and SACTWU and forms part of Pepkor’s goal to support local manufacturing.

Pepkor Managing Director, Pieter Erasmus and Pepclo General Manager, Marthie Kemp-van der Werf officially opened the school at the factory in Parow together with Etienne Vlok, senior researcher at SALRI (SACTWU Research Institute) and Fachmy Abrahams, National Collective Bargaining Officer for Pepclo management and employees.

The training school also ties in with Pepclo’s three-year plan to introduce new manufacturing lines, source locally produced fabric and the ultimate goal of becoming globally competitive as a world-class operator in terms of quality, cost, delivery and speed (QCDS).

Notes to journalists:

1. Part of Pepclo’s expansive approach to improve its work environment and stimulate growth includes the introduction of a course for all staff. In addition to a two-day ‘lean manufacturing’ training course, a manufacturing board game, similar to Monopoly, has been specially designed for use as a training tool. Over two days; the aim of the game is to promote a better understanding among employees of the business and the impact their actions have on the business.

2. A leadership development course over three full days is also being given to team leaders up to supervisor level with team coaching processes following on from this.