As the South African automotive industry counts down to its centenary, which will be during Autoweek from 15–18 October, the Youth Employment Service (YES) is celebrating the sector’s participation in the YES programme, and job creation for unemployed youth.

Currently, six of the seven original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the country – Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Toyota, Volkswagen, Isuzu, and Ford, will be recognised at the prestigious National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) Accelerator Awards for the impact they have made.

“The automotive sector has really come to the party in working with YES,” says Samantha Steyn, Business Development Strategy Executive at YES. “So far, through the programme the sector has created 23,881 jobs, with 15,414 of those being created by the NAAMSA members and a further 5,641 from the automotive component manufacturers.”

Steyn says the sector contributes to 13.25% of the annual YES jobs created through their participation in the YES programme.

The automotive sector is one of the country’s largest economic sectors, contributing 4.3% percent to the country’s gross domestic product. The industry is also the country’s fifth largest export sector, accounting for 18.1% of total exports, and employs over 110,000 people. “Given the sector’s importance in our economy, they are a vital partner in the fight against unemployment,” Steyn notes.

YES is a pivotal initiative aimed at addressing South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis. By partnering with businesses in various sectors, YES provides 12-month work experiences for unemployed young people.

YES acts as a bridge between the unemployed youth and potential employers, providing a platform for young people to gain valuable work experience and develop essential skills.  YES can tailor its programmes to meet the specific needs of businesses and industries. This ensures that the work experiences provided are relevant and beneficial.

The programme works both directly with businesses as well as YES implementation partners (IPs). In the automotive sector, 59% of placements were with IPs, and the balance were internal. “The IP model is effectively utilised by the sector to place youth into their dealership networks and supply chains – further supporting these businesses by capacitating them with great talent,” says Steyn, “the sector fully understands the importance on transformation and job creation, as well as co-creation and collaboration. In this spirit, YES has a partnership with the Automotive Investment Transformation Fund (AITF), allowing these beneficiaries to be hosts to youth sponsored by the automotive corporates.”

Given the shift towards electric vehicles, green hydrogen and other green initiatives in the automotive sector as the world moves away from fossil fuels, these placements mean that young people are gaining experience in a future-facing sector. Tech is also an intrinsic part of the sector, giving participants a vital first job for their CVs, hands-on experience, and setting them up for success.

“As the automotive industry evolves towards a greener future, YES is proud to be at the forefront of providing young South Africans with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in this dynamic sector,” says Steyn. “The automotive sector’s commitment to YES is a testament to their social responsibility and their recognition of the vital role they play in addressing youth unemployment. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive economy for South Africa, and empowering the next generation of leaders.”