Kwikot Opens Its Doors to Future Skills Across Trades, Manufacturing and Hospitality
In celebration of Youth Month, Kwikot hosted its Future Skills Experience at its Benoni headquarters, giving students, educators, media and industry stakeholders an up-close look at the career pathways powering South African manufacturing, trade and hospitality infrastructure.
For more than a century, Kwikot has been the leading supplier of water heating systems in South Africa, from electric geysers and solar water heaters to heat pumps and commercial equipment. But behind every reliable geyser and every energy-efficient hot water solution is something the country urgently needs more of: skilled people. The Kwikot Future Skills Experience was built to inspire the next generation to see technical, operational and service-led industries as real, rewarding careers.
Designed to give learners practical exposure to the people, processes and products behind Kwikot's broader business, the day spanned the full ecosystem, from electric water heaters and heat pumps to water dispensers, stainless steel catering equipment and back-of-house hospitality infrastructure.
South Africa's Skills Gap Is a Growth Opportunity
South Africa continues to face a critical shortage of skilled artisans and technically trained professionals, at exactly the moment when infrastructure, construction, manufacturing, hospitality, energy and commercial facilities all depend on practical skills. The gap is especially visible in high-demand fields such as plumbing, welding, boilermaking, electrical work, fitting and turning, mechanical fitting, HVAC, commercial kitchen support and hospitality operations.
These are the very skills that keep the water heating industry running. Installing a solar water heater, commissioning a domestic heat pump, or fitting a gas water heater all require trained hands. The Future Skills Experience was designed to show learners that these industries offer genuine career pathways, not only on the factory floor, but across supply chain, product innovation, installation, customer service, marketing and sector-specific solutions.
Turning Conversation Into Action
For Kwikot, the day was about turning conversation into action.
“Supporting the next generation cannot only be symbolic. It must be practical, visible and connected to real career pathways,” said Murray Crow, Managing Director of Kwikot. “By opening our doors to students, we want to show that technical and trade careers are essential to South Africa's growth, and that they connect directly to the industries young people may one day help lead.”
During the event, students explored different areas of the business, including Supply Chain, Trade and Engineering. Learners saw how Kwikot's manufacturing and commercial solutions support a wide range of sectors, from homes and property developments to hotels, restaurants, catering environments and institutional facilities. The hands-on format sparked strong engagement, with learners asking about career growth, technical training, hospitality operations, manufacturing processes and the future of trades in South Africa.
One Manufacturer, an Entire Product Ecosystem
Many South Africans know Kwikot for its geysers — but the business extends well beyond domestic hot water. The Future Skills Experience gave learners a window into that scale, showing how a single manufacturer serves homes, businesses, hospitality venues and industry.
Kwikot's range includes:
• Domestic geysers and water heaters: electric, gas and point-of-use hot water for every home.
• Solar water heating and the Elon Solar PV range: energy-efficient solar geysers that cut electricity costs.
• Heat pumps: domestic, integrated and industrial heat pumps for lower-energy hot water.
• Commercial and industrial water heaters: high-capacity systems for developments and institutions.
• Stainless steel catering and commercial equipment: tables, sinks and back-of-house infrastructure for hospitality.
• Water dispensers and instant boiling water: hydration solutions for offices, kitchens and public spaces.
• Haier air conditioners and HVAC: climate solutions now part of the Kwikot and Haier offering.
Investing in the Next Generation of Skilled Professionals
Educators and institutional representatives welcomed the initiative as a meaningful example of industry creating direct exposure for young people.
As part of the experience, participating schools were invited to capture content and create short social media videos showcasing what they learned. One participating institution will receive R25,000 towards its faculty or school, further supporting the development of future skilled professionals.
Kwikot has also committed to offering internship opportunities to interested learners, helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry experience.
It's an approach that mirrors Kwikot's long-standing Training and Certification Centre, which equips apprentice and qualified plumbers, electricians and installers with accredited courses in electric water heater installation, thermal solar water heating and heat pump commissioning.
South Africa's Industrial Future Depends on the Skills We Build Today
With a workforce of more than 800 employees and broad manufacturing and commercial capabilities, Kwikot used the event to demonstrate the scale, complexity and opportunity within South African industry, not only in water heating, but across the wider ecosystem of products and services that keep homes, businesses, hospitality venues and institutions running.
The Future Skills Experience was a practical investment in young talent, a celebration of technical and hospitality-linked careers, and a reminder that South Africa's industrial future depends on the skills developed today.
Explore Kwikot
Explore Kwikot
Discover the full range of Kwikot water heating systems — including geysers, solar water heaters and heat pumps — or learn about careers and installer training with South Africa's water heating leader. For more news, visit the Kwikot blog.
About Kwikot
Established in 1903, Kwikot is South Africa's leading provider of water heating solutions. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Kwikot offers a range of products including electric geysers, solar water heaters, gas water heaters and heat pumps. Now part of Haier, Kwikot continues to drive progress in the water heating industry, delivering reliable and energy-efficient solutions to homes and businesses across South Africa.