South Africa's automotive industry is struggling to find the specialised technical skills it needs, even as the country faces high youth unemployment.
This shortage is being felt directly at dealership level, where increasingly sophisticated vehicles require technicians capable of diagnosing and resolving complex technical problems.
"South Africa faces a striking paradox. We have high youth unemployment while industries such as automotive are struggling to find the specialised technical skills they need," says Kevin Heunis, Service Engineering and Operations Director, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (Pty) Limited.
"That need is very real at dealership level. Vehicles are increasingly sophisticated technology platforms, and our dealers need diagnosticians, technologists and problem-solvers who can understand advanced systems and resolve complex problems. The technical capability in our workshops ultimately has a direct bearing on the experience we provide our customers."
Building a pathway from school to the dealership:
Ford South Africa's Autotechnician Apprenticeship Scholarship is designed to create a pipeline of future-ready technicians for its dealer network, while opening career opportunities for young South Africans with technical aptitude, curiosity and problem-solving ability.
The programme was piloted in Pretoria in 2026 with eight students from low-income families, selected from local technical high schools. Over three years, they combine formal technical education with paid, hands-on dealership training, progressing from practical shadowing and theory to on-the-job repair work, advanced training and ultimately qualification.
The Autotechnician Apprenticeship will formally launch in 2027, with a new intake beginning its three-year apprenticeship as the pilot cohort progresses into its second year. A further intake is planned for 2028, creating overlapping cohorts and a continuous pipeline of technical talent.
The pilot apprentices gain workplace experience at CMH Ford Hatfield, CMH Ford Gezina and CMH Ford Steyns, receiving hands on training and a monthly stipend. The scholarship also supports theoretical course costs, tools, uniforms and transport, while apprentices receive mentorship, professional development and career guidance.
Gift of the Givers manages student selection and programme monitoring, while MerSETA provides curriculum and theoretical training support.
Developing talent for a changing industry:
The apprenticeship looks beyond academic results and traditional recruitment criteria to identify qualities such as curiosity, problem solving ability, technical aptitude and practical intelligence.
"Potential doesn't always come through a CV," Kevin says. "Some of the strongest technical talent can be found in young people who naturally want to understand how things work, who build things, experiment and solve practical problems."
As vehicles become more complex, technicians increasingly work with advanced diagnostics, electronics, software and connectivity. Qualified technicians can progress into specialist and Master Technician roles, management, training and technical support, with some career paths offering international opportunities.
Skills development is nation building:
"Skills development is about far more than filling vacancies," said Neale Hill, President of Operations at Ford Motor Company, Africa.
"When a young person gains a qualification, workplace experience and an opportunity to build a meaningful career, the impact reaches beyond that individual. It can improve the prospects of a family, strengthen a community and contribute to the economy. That is why we see skills development as nation building."
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