BHP Billiton’s sponsorship will mark the company’s second spell as a platinum sponsor of the prestigious event, which will be held at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria from 25 to 26 July.

The 4^th annual BHP Billiton Skills Development Summit aims to address the high levels of unemployment in South Africa by highlighting the issue of skills development in SA. The Achiever Awards, held on the final night of the summit, will honour and recognise organisations who have demonstrated commitment to the advancement of their employees’ skills base by implementing skills development and training programmes that are relevant, innovative and effective.

According to Kekeletso Khena, director of the Skills Development Summit, this year’s summit will be the most critical and impactful summit in the event’s history. “The BHP Billiton Skills Development Summit will feature an astounding cast of speakers, which includes, among others, the CEO of the National Business Initiative Joanne Yawitch and the chairperson of the National Skills Authority Mr Eddie Majadibodu.

“This year’s theme, ‘Skills Development Is A Catalyst To Economic Development’, seeks to entrench the understanding that South Africa is at a tipping point where talk shops will no longer suffice. If we are to grow our economy and as such create jobs, we need to do things differently.”

She believes that BHP Billiton recommitment to the Skills Development Summit and the Achiever Awards serves as a true testament to their dedication to addressing skills development in South Africa. “BHP Billiton’s commitment as a platinum sponsor truly embodies the theme of the summit and solidifies the company’s devotion to skills development in South Africa.”

Xolani Mkhwanazi, BHP Billiton’s SA chairperson, says that the company is proud to be recommitting themselves as platinum sponsors to the annual event and awards ceremony. “The Skills Development Summit and Achiever Awards are an important platform for corporate South Africa, government, Sector Education Training Authorities (SETA), trade councils and the public to join together and discuss the business of skills development, as well as conceptualise effective solutions for the challenges facing our country today. Addressing these issues is of utmost importance to our company and is aligned with our corporate philosophy of ‘Resourcing the Future’.”

Anyone is able to nominate a company, government department or organisation by filling out an online nomination form at www.skillssummit.co.za/articles/Nomination-form. Self-nomination is also allowed.

For additional information on the BHP Billiton Skills Development Summit and Achiever Awards, email info@skillssummit.co.za or contact Beverly Stone on 021 681 7000. Entrants can also interact with fellow businesses on the Achiever Awards social media platforms Facebook and Twitter.