The then Industrial Training Centre was established in 1974 and was initially established by the Industry to train artisans of all races for the sugar industry. In 1978, the Industry realised that it had established a training centre that had the potential to improve the lives of others outside of the sugar industry and started admitting learners from all other industries. While in those days the ratio of sugar to non-sugar was biased to sugar, this has swung around over the years and is currently 20% sugar and 80% non-sugar. Some of the STC biggest customers include Eskom, Sappi Saaicor, and Ethekwini Municipality.
The Agricultural Training Department was under the South African Sugarcane Research Institute, another division of SASA, was transferred to the Industrial Training Centre in 2002 hence placing all the training done by SASA under one division. With this change, the name of Shukela (meaning sugar in IsiZulu) Training Centre more accurately reflects our broader function.
The Shukela Training Centre ethos of treating each and everyone with respect and dignity is the cornerstone of the conduct that prevails at the Centre and the relaxed atmosphere that is created by the staff makes for a healthy learning environment. The learners are encouraged to question, express their views and participate fully in the interactive training that is provided.