Community engagement at Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa

Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa has committed itself to a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative for almost twenty years by partnering with the non-profit organisation Potters House Training Centre. This centre enlists previously disadvantaged individuals in the community and provides education and training for these students on the basic servicing of office equipment. 

Our colleagues in South Africa believe it is important to invest in this kind of education to create more employment opportunities and fill the technology sector with more talent. Kyocera has supported this technological training programme through the provision of equipment, consumables, and marketing support. In doing so, our South African friends are empowering underprivileged people in their local community and building their skills in office automation equipment repair.

As part of this learning opportunity, the students at Potters House Training Centre can learn about Kyocera devices. This benefits both the wider community and local partners of Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa, who often offer successful candidates internships or employment once they have finished training. 

The partnership between Kyocera and Potters House Training Centre has helped over 250 disadvantaged young people so far. What’s more, in 2017, our colleagues honoured the first young woman graduate from the xerography training programme: Katlego Ramotshabi.

Katlego Ramotshabi said: “Since graduating from the Potters House Training Centre, my life has improved significantly. With the number of female technicians on the rise, I find myself a step ahead in my career. Being a part of the programme has opened opportunities of employment that were not available before. I’ve also learned a lot about the copier industry, as well as developed skills like discipline, time management and paying attention to detail.” 

Paul Wendlandt, Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa's General Manager, says: “No matter how technical and automated the working world becomes, we will always need humans with practical skills to service and repair the machines. Kyocera’s CSI initiatives are, therefore, grounded in the creation of practical skills that address skills shortages and result in jobs.”

As a company, Kyocera believes that practical, focused skills training is a viable way to secure employment, increase household income, and thereby break the cycle of poverty in South Africa. We’re very proud of our colleagues in South Africa for their longstanding commitment to this initiative and to their wider community.