ASSOCIATION OF THE MONTH
From humble beginnings to dynamic association Some 20 years ago, a group of workshop owners decided it was time to form their own association within the RMI.
T
he MTA (Motor Traders’ Association) was a constituent association within the then MIF (Motor Industries’ Federation), the frontrunner of the RMI, which represented the service stations and non-franchise workshop industry. At the time it was compulsory for service stations to have a workshop as part of the business model, hence the reason why these two sectors were hosted under the MTA. One of these owners, Andy Goetsch, who was instrumental in this process, proposed the association be called Motor Industry Workshop Association, MIWA for short, and that was the beginnings of what today is a 2500 member-strong association. Goetsch was appointed as its first national chairman in 1998. Fast forward to 2018 and Dewald Ranft is at the helm. “We are a thriving association growing annually and making a difference in improving industry standards, skills and communities,” he says.
Andy Goetsch, Founding MIWA Chairman
24 - AUGUST 2018
New MIWA representatives take up the reins Keeping up with the times and remaining relevant with personal service to members is one of MIWA’s main objectives. As part of the RMI’s New Thinking Model, MIWA has appointed six representatives around the country whose responsibility it is, among others, to connect with MIWA members. The latest addition to the team is Reemo Swartz who joined in August 2018 and will be based in Bloemfontein. Being the largest association in the RMI it has been a challenge connecting with over 2500 members nationwide. To meet this challenge, these newly appointed reps now visit MIWA members in their area updating member details, keeping them informed of the latest news, and insuring members are aware of the value proposition that MIWA offers. “We have an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team. We believe this will make a big difference for members,” says Ranft. Exciting training opportunities Being the largest association in the RMI, MIWA believes it has the largest responsibility when it comes to training and upskilling in the industry. With this in mind, MIWA joined forces with Bidvest Automotive Artisan Academy regarding training needs and possible solutions for its members. A training project was launched during October 2017 and special funding was obtained from the Gauteng Department
Dewald Ranft, current MIWA Chairman
of Education and the National Department of Public Works involving 18 companies and 22 apprentices with a further nine Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning applications. MIWA also got involved with Imperial Technical Training Academy through its National Skills Fund (NSF) funded Apprentice Programme which has awarded ITTA 600 grants for training of apprentices in Gauteng, Bloemfontein and Cape Town. MIWA workshops can participate by accepting apprentices and acting as host businesses where apprentices can complete their workplace experience over a period of three years. Participation from the Western Cape has been great, and it is exciting to see how businesses are starting to embrace these initiatives and opportunities.
www.automobil.co.za