Twenty-five recruits will be among the first group to start their training in service mechatronics (a modern mix between mechanics and electronics) in June 2017 at the Porsche Training and Recruitment Centre that will be based in Cape Town.
The centre will be run in partnership with the Don Bosco Salesian Institute Youth Projects (SIYP) and Porsche importer in SA, LSM Distributors, with the long-term goal for these disadvantaged young men and women to find employment at Porsche or other VW AG companies like Volkswagen and Audi.
South Africa is the second country in the world where the program is being implemented. The first training centre was established in Manila in the Philippines in 2008, and since then more than 200 young men and women have completed their two-year service mechatronics training cycles.
“It’s not how many people we train or employ that ultimately matters,” said Dr Oliver Blume, chairman of the executive board of Porsche AG, as he addressed the press in Johannesburg. “To us, every person counts, and it’s about the individuals.”
Porsche says more details on how to apply for the 25 spots for 2017 will be published through various communication channels.