Aligned with its goal of equipping employees with skills needed to progress and adapt to changing technologies, specialised hose and couplings supplier Jachris Hose & Couplings is developing a dedicated training facility onsite.

The fully equipped, onsite training facility will serve as a strategic hub for internal skills development, technical upskilling and educational support aligned with the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), says Jachris Hose & Coupling human resources group head Anastacia Van Den Berg.

“The facility will enable Jachris to deliver targeted, hands-on training to technicians and staff, preparing them to confidently take on roles at new or expanding sites,” Van Den Berg elaborates.

The facility is currently in the planning and design phase. Infrastructure requirements, curriculum development, and accreditation processes are being finalised.

The training centre is anticipated to be fully operational by the end of 2026 and, once launched, will be the “cornerstone of the company’s internal development strategy and a platform for lifelong learning across all job levels”.

Additionally, several new courses will be introduced as part of the facility’s offering following its completion. These include digital literacy, automation technology, machine interface training and workplace communication.

Van Den Berg adds that the company’s collaborations with long-term training partners, such as education providers Triple E Training, are being strengthened to align content delivery with current and emerging needs.

The facility, along with the ongoing training programmes to transition in line with the 4IR, will enable the company to accommodate more employees in the future as it works towards equipping factory employees with basic education and skills, says Van Den Berg.

The company, in turn, benefits from improved productivity, fewer errors, and enhanced safety, Triple E Training national project manager Marco Maree adds.

Maintaining a competitive edge in technology and processes requires competent operators and artisans, supported by highly proficient supervisors and line managers.

A seamless transition to 4IR depends on the company’s ensuring that employees have the appropriate skills, adds Van Den Berg.

She stresses that, while machines enhance efficiency, productivity and safety, they do not necessarily eliminate jobs, but instead create better work opportunities that require ongoing training, particularly at operational level, where the nature of work is changing rapidly.

Jachris aligns its training and development strategies with industry trends, including introducing digital tools, fostering adaptability across teams.

These opportunities apply to all levels of the company, including the factory floor, where workers require specialised skills to operate sophisticated machinery and tools.

Training begins with the development of basic literacy and numeracy skills, particularly for employees who joined as general factory workers.

The company’s adult literacy and numeracy training programme equips employees with the foundational skills needed to obtain a General Education and Training Certificate in Adult Education and Training (AET). This initiative supports the transition to the 4IR by bridging existing skills gaps and laying essential literacy and numeracy foundations, Maree explains.

While the programme’s core focus remains on essential literacy and numeracy, practical problem-solving, critical thinking and clear communication skills are also embedded. Employees can then follow detailed operating manuals, accurately interpret instructions and effectively adapt to complex equipment and automated systems.

“By embedding fundamental digital literacy skills through our Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) programme, we equip learners to confidently navigate modern systems, automated machinery interfaces and digital communication platforms,” says Maree.

Further, by enhancing these core competencies through ABET, employees have the foundational knowledge to pursue further specialised training, with Jachris encouraging employees to complete adult matric or pursue other paths that lead to a National Qualifications Framework Level 4 as the next step in their learning journey.

“We are also promoting continuous learning through formal courses and on-the-job mentorship to stay ahead of the curve,” Van Den Berg says.

Supportive Environment
Jachris schedules classes around production shifts, with the classes held in a dedicated area on site, making it easier for employees to attend regularly and ensuring high levels of participation and engagement.

This structured approach also creates a clear connection between the skills being taught and the employees’ day-to-day responsibilities. As a result, employees understand the relevance of their training and how it contributes to their career development.

This practical connection also assists with long-term knowledge retention.

To ensure high progression rates, Jachris has been working with Triple E Training, appointed in 2011, to deliver the programme. Since then, the company has consistently maintained a high standard of training, effectively transferring workplace literacy skills to employees.