Stellantis and Chamber partner on youth skills development initiative

Fifteen unemployed young South Africans will soon have the opportunity to gain an accredited qualification, practical workplace experience and a pathway into the automotive retail industry through a new skills development partnership between Stellantis South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.

Formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the Stellantis Sales Excellence Programme will equip participants with an accredited Automotive Sales Advisor NQF Level 4 qualification while preparing the next generation of automotive sales professionals to meet the evolving needs of the industry. The initiative also responds directly to South Africa’s youth unemployment challenge by creating meaningful employment pathways in one of the country’s most important economic sectors.

The partnership will identify, train and develop 15 unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 35 through an accredited Automotive Sales Advisor NQF Level 4 qualification worth 224 credits. The programme comprises three months of classroom-based training focused on technical and essential workplace skills, followed by nine months of structured workplace experience at Stellantis dealerships across six provinces, namely the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

Funded by Stellantis South Africa, the 12-month programme combines classroom-based learning, practical workplace exposure, mentorship and learner support to develop a pipeline of highly skilled automotive sales professionals. Beneficiaries will receive comprehensive training across all aspects of the new vehicle sales process under the guidance of experienced Stellantis sales professionals, progressively building product knowledge, customer engagement capabilities and sales expertise with the objective of transitioning into qualified Sales Executives upon successful completion.

As the implementing partner, the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber will manage the end-to-end delivery of the programme, including recruitment, training coordination, learner support, stipend administration, dealership placements and programme monitoring.

Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber Chief Executive Officer Denise van Huyssteen said the agreement demonstrates how purposeful collaboration between business and industry can create meaningful opportunities for young people while addressing critical skills shortages.

“South Africa’s unemployment challenge, particularly among young people, requires bold partnerships that move beyond discussion and into implementation. This programme is about creating genuine opportunities for talented young people to acquire nationally recognised qualifications, practical workplace experience and the confidence to build sustainable careers in one of the country’s most important industries,” she said.

Van Huyssteen added that the Chamber remains committed to building partnerships that strengthen regional competitiveness while developing a future-ready workforce.

“Skills development remains one of the most powerful drivers of inclusive economic growth. By connecting education with real workplace opportunities, we are not only investing in individuals but also strengthening the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s automotive sector. This partnership reflects our shared belief that business has a critical role to play in creating pathways to employment and empowering the next generation of professionals,” she said.

Stellantis South Africa Managing Director Mike Whitfield said investing in people is fundamental to the long-term success and sustainability of the automotive industry.

“The future of our industry depends on attracting talented young people and equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving automotive retail environment. The Stellantis Sales Excellence Programme has been designed to develop a new generation of customer-focused sales professionals who understand both our brands and the changing expectations of modern consumers,” he said.

The Sales Excellence Programme builds on an existing partnership between Stellantis South Africa, the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and Jendamark through the Digital Processing Technician Training Programme, which equips unemployed youth with technical skills for careers in advanced automotive manufacturing. The new initiative extends that collaboration into the automotive retail sector, creating additional pathways to employment while responding to evolving industry skills requirements.

Recruitment for the programme will commence during July 2026 through the SAYouth platform, the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber’s communication platforms and participating media partners. Successful candidates will begin their training in August before being placed at Stellantis dealerships nationwide for practical workplace experience.