| 
The Woodhouse Project aims to tap into economic
opportunities in the downstream sector of the
local timber industry around Stutterheim. The
Woodhouse is an opportunity to create a training
facility that provides skills to the local communities,
both technically and entrepreneurially alongside
the value chain, starting with plantations, sawmilling
and value adding of local timber through industrial
and commercial applications.
The Woodhouse is set to be an anchor within the
N6 corridor which is anticipated to have synergistic
knock-on effects for the entire corridor development.
It is in this regard that the establishment of
an industrial park encompassing a training and
entrepreneurship centre is proposed to capacitate
communities to take advantage of opportunities
within the timber industry in the Amahlathi region.
|
|
The Woodhouse project is anticipated to provide a job
centre in the field of wood manufacturing within the
town of Stutterheim. Job centres are set up in a community
to give potential entrepreneurs access to the necessary
tools, equipment and material to undertake a commercial
project, as well as the technical expertise, business
support and mentorship. This should be regarded as a
“start-up” phase until such time as sufficient
capital is available in order for an SMME to sustain
itself by expanding and opening up a small workshop
or outlet, or being confident and skilled enough to
seek employment in the mainstream wood and furniture
market.
Currently:
- Partners for the Woodhouse project have been identified
and a Project Steering Committee (PSC) consisting
of Aspire, Amahlathi LM, DEDEA, Department of Social
Development, Department of Labour and private sector
participants has been established
- A timber feasibility study and business plan for
the venture is complete
- Opportunities exist for additional partners for
implementation
- 20 trainees from the Amahlathi local municipality
are to be trained in partnership with an accredited
training institution
|
