Youth Empowerment Programme site visit showcases progress and power of industry collaboration.
- Sep 19
- 3 min read
As the manufacturing sector continues to face headwinds impacting upon the retention of investment and jobs, the urgency to develop relevant work-ready skills among young people has become critical. The Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP), funded by Stellantis South Africa and implemented by the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, is offering a practical and scalable response.
Today, leading industry executives, partners and stakeholders gathered at Jendamark’s North End facility for a site visit showcasing the programme’s progress.
Reflecting on the company’s commitment, Whitfield said they knew “we had to be part of this”.
“As Stellantis, we’re not just here to build cars - we’re here to build futures. The manufacturing sector is shifting rapidly, especially with the transition to New Energy Vehicles. That demands a new kind of workforce - digitally skilled, agile and ready to add value from day one,” says Whitfield.
“This programme goes beyond skills training. It’s a blueprint for how business and community can work together to build a future-proof economy. When the youth rise, the industry rises with them.”
Now several months in, the Youth Empowerment Programme is well ahead of schedule. The initiative aims to train and empower 50 unemployed young people over the course of a year, equipping them with the technical, digital and entrepreneurial skills required in modern manufacturing.
Learners are immersed in a hands-on, tech-driven curriculum that includes digital systems onboarding, Standard Operating Procedure development, and use of ODIN Checkpoint - a globally recognised shop-floor task management tool. They are now in the job-shadowing phase, placed on the Jendamark shop floor alongside seasoned professionals to prepare for upcoming placements across five host companies.
Speaking at the event, Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber CEO Denise van Huyssteen emphasized the importance of industry-led training within the broader economic context. “The Eastern Cape’s official unemployment rate stands at 39.5%, with Nelson Mandela Bay at 26.4%. The true figure may be higher, especially given recent job losses in the manufacturing sector. We simply cannot afford to train young people for jobs that don’t exist. This programme is aligned with real opportunities in the current job market,” said Van Huyssteen.
“We thank Stellantis for their vision and boldness in backing this initiative, and to Jendamark for embracing collaboration to build the technical skills needed in our fast-changing economy. It’s a powerful example of what can be achieved when business leads from the front.”
In addition to its technical focus, the programme integrates entrepreneurial development through the Chamber’s Entrepreneurship Desk, offering mentorship, small business support, and market access training to equip learners for broader economic participation.
Upon successfully completing the programme, the learners will be placed and contracted within ten manufacturing firms across the metro for a period of 12 months with monthly stipends paid. This real-world exposure is essential to bridging the gap between classroom learning and the high-pressure, tech-enabled environments that define today’s production spaces. It further opens the doors of employment for the learners who may be absorbed subject to satisfactory performance during the 12 months placement period.
One of the candidates Lehyema Mnyaluza said of her participation in the programme: “This opportunity has changed my perspective on my future. I'm learning practical skills that companies actually use. It’s opening real doors for career growth, preparing to build a career, not just find a job. This is shaping my path to professional success.”
As global manufacturing continues to evolve through automation, digitalisation and cleaner energy, the Eastern Cape’s competitiveness will depend on how effectively it can develop a skilled, adaptable and inclusive workforce. The Youth Empowerment Programme demonstrates that, with the right partnerships, real progress is possible.
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