The National Business Initiative (NBI), Hisense SA, and Northlink TVET College launched the Hisense-Northlink Technical Academy on August 26, 2026, at Northlink's Belhar Campus in Cape Town. The academy is dedicated to training students in domestic appliance repair skills and workplace development.
The Academy is part of the NBI's Installation, Repair and Maintenance (IRM) Initiative, specifically through the Appliance Repair and Dismantling (ARAD) program. It's designed to tackle skills shortages in appliance repair and create job opportunities for young people.
Many young people face barriers when trying to enter the appliance repair sector—limited access to formal training and certification, few chances to gain hands-on workplace experience, and weak connections between training schools and manufacturer service networks. These challenges make it tough for students to move from the classroom to a real job.
"For us, the value of the Hisense-Northlink Technical Academy lies in bringing industry and TVET education closer together," says Gugu McLaren-Ushewokunze, Head of Economic Inclusion at the NBI. "It creates an opportunity to ensure that young people are gaining skills that respond to a real market need, while giving them exposure to the workplace and the standards expected by industry."
The Academy combines industry expertise with public TVET education to make sure training matches what the market actually needs. Students will mix college learning with structured workplace experience, creating a clear path into the appliance repair field.
Hisense will support the Academy by providing training appliances, technical equipment, expertise, and opportunities for students to gain real workplace experience within its service network.
"This partnership is an important investment in the future of technical skills in South Africa," shares Luna Nortje, Deputy General Manager at Hisense South Africa. "We are developing a pipeline of qualified technicians who understand our products and meet industry standards. This strengthens service quality and supports the long-term sustainability of the appliance repair ecosystem."
Hisense has been part of South Africa's story for 30 years. Since 1996, the company has grown while maintaining a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, creating local jobs, and exporting "Made in South Africa" products across the continent and beyond. Three decades later, Hisense remains committed to putting world-class technology in South African hands and giving South Africans a hand in building it.
"Northlink TVET College highly values the partnership established with the NBI and Hisense South Africa for this project," shared Lebuhang Mosia, Acting Campus Manager for Belhar Campus. "This collaboration will significantly contribute to the College's vision of expanding programs that respond to skills in high demand within industry, while creating meaningful opportunities for our students to enter the workplace."
Mosia continued, "As part of this initiative, the College is committed not only to equipping students with relevant technical skills and practical industry experience, but also to supporting them beyond their training. We aim to help graduates get absorbed into industry or, where appropriate, establish and grow their own businesses. Through partnerships such as this, we can strengthen the link between TVET education, industry requirements, and sustainable employment opportunities for our graduates."