Hisense South Africa, the National Business Initiative and Northlink TVET College have launched a new technical academy designed to equip young people with practical appliance repair skills and pathways into employment.
The Hisense-Northlink Technical Academy officially opened at Northlink TVET College’s Belhar Campus on 26 August 2026, bringing industry and technical education together to address skills shortages in South Africa’s appliance repair sector.
The Academy forms part of the National Business Initiative’s Installation, Repair and Maintenance Initiative through its Appliance Repair and Dismantling programme.
Students will combine college-based learning with structured workplace experience, giving them an opportunity to develop technical knowledge alongside practical exposure to industry.
“The value of the Hisense-Northlink Technical Academy lies in bringing industry and TVET education closer together,” said 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.”
Hisense will provide appliances for training, technical equipment and industry expertise. Students will also have opportunities to gain practical workplace experience through the company’s service network.
The partnership is intended to develop technicians with skills that correspond directly with requirements in the appliance repair industry.
“This partnership is an important investment in the future of technical skills in South Africa,” said 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.”
Northlink College Principal and CEO Xolelo Brian Phike said the initiative could provide young people with pathways into both employment and entrepreneurship at a time when unemployment remains a significant challenge.
The physical transformation of the training space was also completed rapidly. According to Phike, a previously dilapidated room at the Belhar Campus was converted into the technical training facility in just three days.
The Northlink Academy is expected to become the first step in a broader national programme.
Hisense plans to establish technical academies at three colleges across South Africa, potentially extending the training model and creating additional opportunities for young people to develop industry-relevant technical skills.
The initiative demonstrates how partnerships between businesses and TVET colleges can connect education more directly with workplace requirements, while creating practical routes for young people to move from training into economic participation.
