A Special Economic Zone company and West Coast College formalise a decade-long partnership aimed at strengthening local workforce
Staff Reporter
A new agreement aimed at linking vocational training to industrial jobs in Atlantis was signed last week as the Atlantis Special Economic Zone company and West Coast TVET College formalised a partnership designed to strengthen the skills pipeline feeding the region’s growing manufacturing sector.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on Wednesday 4 March at the Atlantis Special Economic Zone offices, marking what both institutions described as a step towards aligning technical training with the needs of industry and future investment in the area.
The agreement builds on more than a decade of collaboration between the two organisations, which have worked together on enterprise development initiatives, youth training programmes and efforts to connect vocational education with employment opportunities.
Matt Cullinan, chief executive of the Atlantis Special Economic Zone company, said the partnership was intended to ensure skills development remains central to economic growth in the region.
“This MOU symbolises a key partnership for a thriving Atlantis. We’ve spent ten years collaborating, and today we formalise a relationship that turns local potential into a green industrial asset. This is about preparing students for jobs, but it is also aiming to empower them to be the cornerstone of a sustainable, green-tech future for the entire country,” said Cullinan.
West Coast TVET College principal Lungisa Mbulawa said the agreement would help position students to play a direct role in the economic development taking place in Atlantis.
“Through this partnership with Atlantis Special Economic Zone company, West Coast College is ensuring that our students are not only trained but positioned to actively shape the economic growth of Atlantis and build a thriving community,” said Mbulawa.