According to the TEPA Training Committee, substantial progress in being made in implementing the Skills Development Programme that underpins the training objectives set out in TEPA’s 2025-2030 Corporate Strategy. These include critical skills training for the tyre sector.
Since project inception on 1 June 2024, TEPA has met all key Year 1 milestones, laying a solid foundation for a structured, industry-aligned training pipeline for fitment centres nationally. These objectives include establishing the TEPA Training Committee, adopting a strategic plan for continuous learning, developing skills programmes tailored to fitment centres, and instituting a framework to monitor and report on progress.
By June 2024, the TEPA Training Committee was formally constituted and commenced its mandate to drive skills development across the tyre and fitment sector, with the Committee presenting its strategic plan to TEPA members on 17 October 2024, outlining a roadmap for continuous learning that aligns with industry needs and national occupational standards.
Starting in early 2025, TEPA engaged closely with the merSETA to ensure that the planned skills programmes meet current and future industry requirements.
A meeting with merSETA clarified programme requirements and led to the formation of a dedicated merSETA Task Team in February 2025 to support the development of qualifications and skills programmes, including scope, curriculum, and assessment tools.
Between March and September 2025, the first full scoping and profiling process was completed for a suite of priority programmes: Wheel and Tyre Service person, Tyre Retreader and Repairer. Building on this, TEPA has submitted completed skills programmes for QCTO approval for Hot Vulcaniser, Tyre Retreader, Wheel Aligner, and Wheel & Tyre Fitter, with finalisation targeted for July 2026.
A further scoping and profiling process for the review of the Wheel and Tyre Service person qualification is underway and remains in progress.
A further scoping and profiling process for the review of the Wheel and Tyre Service person qualification is underway and remains in progress. The overall project remains on track with the timelines outlined for Year 2 of the 2025–2030 Corporate Strategy, with completion of this phase targeted for July 2026.
Remaining programmes to be scoped and developed by this date include Suspension Specialist (brakes & shocks), Battery Fitter, Basic Service Worker, and Sales Person (counterhand/parts sales).
TEPA is closely managing submission dates to align with QCTO approval windows to avoid any delays in programme accreditation. The effective management of the project timeline to date has ensured that initial delays in early phases were contained, and all Year 1 milestones have been successfully achieved.
With strong governance from the TEPA Training Committee and ongoing collaboration with merSETA and industry stakeholders, the skills development project is firmly on course to deliver a comprehensive, accredited training framework for the sector in line with TEPA’s 20252030 Corporate Strategy.
