Statistics South Africa’s latest first-quarter figures show that young people continue to bear the brunt of rising unemployment, while many sectors continue to grapple with growing skills shortages.
According to Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) CEO, Ipeleng Mabusela, the automotive aftermarket presents a unique opportunity to address both challenges simultaneously.
“South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis and the automotive sector’s artisan shortage may appear to be two separate challenges, but together they present a powerful opportunity,” says Mabusela.
“The backbone of our automotive and transport sectors – mechanics, electricians, panel beaters and technicians – is ageing fast, while too few young people are stepping in to replace them. At the same time, many talented youngsters remainunaware of the exciting career opportunities available within our industry.”
Despite the National Development Plan target of producing 30,000 artisans annually by 2030, Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO) statistics continue to show declining numbers of qualified artisans and registered apprentices acrossseveral automotive trades.
At the same time, encouraging progress is being made through focused industry interventions. There are currently 378 candidates for example on the RMI apprenticeship programme, of whom 50% are black young women.
“We are seeing more young people, and particularly more women, entering technical careers and excelling in areas ranging from diagnostics to motor body repair,” says Mabusela.
The RMI believes changing perceptions around vocational careers remains one of the industry’s biggest priorities.
“University is not the only pathway to a meaningful career,” he says. “Many young people thrive in practical, technology-driven environments where they can solve problems and work with their hands. Automotive trades offer globally recognisedskills, strong earning potential and real career mobility.”
“That global mobility was highlighted just this month when we heard three young South African technicians, through a collaboration between the RMI Training Department, the College of Cape Town and Porsche Germany, were selected for aninternational training opportunity with Al Nabooda in Dubai.”
As vehicles become increasingly sophisticated, today’s technicians require a blend of technical expertise, digital literacy and problem-solving skills. Young people entering the industry today are preparing for careers in advanced diagnostics,electric vehicles and connected mobility.
The industry’s transformation is also becoming increasingly visible in its leadership structures. Across the RMI and its associations, more young professionals are stepping into senior leadership positions and serving on regional executivecommittees, helping shape the future direction of the sector.
“We are seeing a new generation of leaders emerging across our industry,” says Mabusela. “Young professionals are bringing fresh perspectives, innovation and a strong understanding of evolving technologies. Their involvement at leadershiplevel is critical if we want our industry to remain relevant and sustainable.”
One of the RMI’s flagship initiatives, Project Dineo, aims to train 300 young people over three years, with a strong focus on women, youth with disabilities and previously disadvantaged communities. Developed in partnership with merSETA,the Department of Higher Education and Training, Harambee and the Presidency, the programme already has 48 learners in training through institutions including the Mercedes-Benz Academy, UXI and Port Elizabeth TVET College.
The importance of exposing learners to the industry early was again demonstrated this past weekend in the Eastern Cape, where two youth-focused skills competitions showcased emerging talent.
The Motor Industry Workshop Association’s (MIWA) Junior Motor Mech Competition brought together aspiring mechanical students at Port Rex Technical High School in East London, while the South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA)hosted its inaugural Junior Skills Competition at Baysville Technical High School. The competition featured practical panel beating and spray-painting challenges designed to test and develop real-world technical skills.
These initiatives form part of a growing pipeline of industry-led programmes aimed at introducing young people to automotive careers while connecting schools, training institutions, employers and industry partners.
“Learners who have worked with real vehicles, diagnostic equipment and workshop environments are far more employable,” says Mabusela. “The future of skills development lies in bringing training closer to the workplace.”
For the RMI, Youth Month serves as a reminder that investing in artisan development is not only a social imperative, but an economic necessity.
“If we want South Africa to keep moving, we need to invest in technical skills now. Encouraging young people into automotive careers is about far more than jobs. It is about protecting the future capacity, competitiveness and resilienceof our economy,” concludes Mabusela.
