Five local companies have been elected to take part in the launch of the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) cluster programme here.

Speaking at the introduction of the AIDC's Tirisano cluster programme in the supply and development sector, AIDC MD Paulo Fernandes said his organisation focused on three areas, which included supply chain and skills and training development.

Fernandes said the Border Technikon and Rhodes University were among the institutions to be involved in a number of AIDC initiatives.

AIDC supplier development manager Fayaz Sacoor said the programme entailed the roll-out of joint training and workshops to ensure quality.

"Our main focus is always to emphasise quality," said Sacoor.

He said a cluster encouraged a learning culture in which companies jointly found ways to deal with problems.

It called for total employee and management involvement on the shop floor.

Sacoor said the involvement ranged from strategic sessions among senior management, awareness on the shop floor, team training and joint sessions with all five companies.

There would also be workshops, and monthly report meetings during which the status of the programme would be discussed, while the host company would be audited.

This would be followed by a sharing of ideas.

Sacoor said the companies selected to take part in the 13-month programme were Pro Seat, First National Battery, Firstpro Engineering, Dinky Manufacturers and Fabkomp.