Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has welcomed 675 new participants into the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme, reinforcing its long-term commitment to addressing youth unemployment through workplace experience and skills development.
The latest intake brings the total number of young people supported by VWGA through the initiative to 4,325 since the company joined the programme in 2019. Of the new trainees, 288 will be placed within VWGA’s operations in Kariega and Johannesburg, while 387 will gain experience through the company’s network of external partners.
VWGA invests approximately R40 million annually in the programme, which was established in 2018 as a partnership between government and the private sector to create work opportunities for unemployed youth. The initiative provides practical workplace exposure across manufacturing operations, dealerships and small business partners, helping participants build experience and improve their employability.
Participants receive work-readiness training that includes computer skills development and online learning modules. Depending on their placement, some trainees also undergo specialised training in areas such as forklift operation and logistics support.
VWGA has consistently been recognised as one of the country’s leading contributors to the YES programme. The company remains among the top contributors to youth job creation within the initiative, which now includes more than 2,000 participating businesses nationwide.
The programme has also delivered measurable outcomes, with an average permanent employment placement rate of 10% since its inception. Among those benefiting is Sibabalwe Tyulu, a former YES trainee who joined the programme in 2024 and has since secured permanent employment within VWGA’s procurement division.
As South Africa continues to tackle high levels of youth unemployment, programmes such as YES remain an important pathway for young people seeking practical experience and entry into the world of work.
