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There is no doubt about the fact that the Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) is worried by the statistics which put South Africa’s unemployed people at five million, with 3.5million of them under 35, while 175, 000 of those are graduates.
These figures, apparently, appear to be the main driving force behind VWSA’s Commercial Trainee programme which assists Nelson Mandela Bay students in gaining practical working experience.
Now in its 15th year at Volkswagen, the Commercial Trainee programme, according to a statement obtained by AUTO REPORT AFRICA, is a joint initiative between Volkswagen and MerSETA
The company said the overarching aim of the Commercial Trainees programme is to assist students that have completed a non- technical qualification and are required to complete a practical component in order for them to gain their qualification.
The statement quoted VWSA Chairman and Managing Director, Thomas Schaefer, as saying: “Through this programme, we want college students to leave Volkswagen having gained valuable skills and knowledge which will assist in making them employable, not only at Volkswagen but in other industries as well.”
With more than six months employed, the 10 students joined Volkswagen at the beginning of the year and have been getting experience in departments like Communications Division, Finance, Human Resources, Logistics, Purchasing, Quality Assurance, Technical Academy, Information Services and Product Engineering.
The Commercial Trainee programme exposes students to the corporate world and Ndzondelelo High School matriculant and Port Elizabeth College student, Nelisa Winti, shares her first-hand experience.
“Coming from a township background proved difficult in the beginning but from the on-set I told myself I needed to adapt to this corporate environment,” Winti said in the statement.
According to Winti, “Most of what I am learning at Volkswagen I hadn’t learnt at school, things like editing and design, photography, digital communications, strategic communications and making powerful presentations.
“This is a great platform to learn new skills, especially on how to conduct oneself professionally whilst also gaining experience for my CV.”
Giving more insights into the programme, VWSA boss, Schaefer, explained: “At Volkswagen, we are passionate about youth development and the Commercial Trainee programme along with other programmes like the Graduate Trainees, Further Education Training and Wanderjahre programmes, helps us grow and develop young people, not just from our metro but from across the country as well.”
