Automotive Careers for 60 Young Gauteng Learners

Johannesburg – Thirty more Gauteng learners are getting a rare glimpse into the world of work as Hyundai Automotive South Africa brings its Drive Your Dreams mentorship programme to a second school.

The two-year programme, launched in August 2025 with 30 top-performing Grade 11 learners from Oosrand Commerce and Entrepreneurship School of Specialization in Boksburg, has now welcomed a second group of 30 learners from Erasmus Monareng Secondary School in Vosloorus.

“Business has a responsibility to help young people understand what it takes to succeed in the workplace,” said Stanley Anderson, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa. “Our Drive Your Dreams programme gives learners access to our people, facilities and expertise at an important stage in their lives. We want them to see that a career in the automotive industry is within their reach.”

Each month, the learners spend two days at Hyundai’s Training Academy in Bedfordview, developing practical skills in communication, customer experience, sales, assertiveness and time management. They also visit Hyundai’s Parts Distribution Centre and Apex Plant, where they see first-hand how logistics, assembling and other parts of the automotive industry operate.

Sphamandla Mthanti, Life Sciences Teacher at the school said opportunities like this can make a real difference in a young person’s life. “Many of our learners do not always have access to mentorship or exposure to the workplace, so having Hyundai open its doors to them is something we truly value. It gives our learners the chance to learn, build confidence and see that their dreams are possible.”

Tsholofelo Jea, a Grade 11 Learner said being part of this programme has given her a chance to learn things she would not normally learn at school. “Meeting different leaders at Hyundai and seeing how they work, made me more confident about my future and opened my eyes to different career opportunities. I am grateful for this opportunity because it is helping me believe that I can dream bigger and achieve my goal.”

With its second school now on board, Drive Your Dreams is giving more young people opportunities to gain workplace experience and begin building a clearer path towards their future careers.

Tamika Mercedes, General Manager: People Development at Hyundai Automotive South Africa stated that through this programme, Hyundai intends to empower the learners, cognitively and practically. “We want to help learners to communicate effectively, gain confidence in themselves, use this foundation to dream bigger, identity their strengths as well as understand various work opportunities available to them.”