Page 10 - Designing Ways 289

TRADE WINDS

not just for local businesses, but for South
Africa’s broader economic development,
exports and job creation goals. A robust
BC framework provides confidence
to investors, enhances international
competitiveness and ensures alignment
with local content and transformation
strategies laid out in the Furniture
Industry Master Plan (FIMP).

“We’ve seen what instability does to
value chains – just look at what happened
during the pandemic,”
notes Boulle.
“Bargaining Councils give us the
resilience to absorb shocks and adapt
with confidence. They are the glue holding between accredited training providers manufacturers – whether well-established
our progress on skills development, and manufacturers to build capacity or just starting out – to join the collective
transformation and localisation together.” across the country. push toward a stable and inclusive future.

Supporting skills and upliftment “These efforts align directly with “Registering with a Bargaining Council
In tandem with its BC advocacy, what Bargaining Councils aim to do – is not about ticking a box,”
SAFI has been instrumental in driving elevate standards, empower workers and says Boulle.
occupational training and accreditation professionalise the industry,” “It’s about choosing to be part of
across the industry. Programmes such as Boulle adds. a system that protects your business,
the Learning and Development Facilitator “When manufacturers see the synergy values your people and strengthens your
Training and the second round of Skills between BC registration and their industry. The sooner we embrace that, the
Development Facilitation Practitioner broader business goals, they realise it’s sooner we unlock our full potential.”
Qualifications underscore SAFI’s not just a compliance issue – it’s a smart
commitment to a professional, future-fit business move.” For assistance with Bargaining Council
workforce. registration or more information about
The organisation is also proactively As the local furniture industry looks SAFI’s compliance support programmes,
addressing gaps through Recognition of to scale, expand exports and compete in contact Lynn Adonis on safi.admin@
Prior Learning (RPL), enabling veteran a global marketplace, ensuring sector- furnituresa.org.za. dw
employees to formalise their skills. In wide adherence to fair labour frameworks
doing so, it is facilitating partnerships is non-negotiable. SAFI encourages all southafricanfurnitureinitiative.co.za

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