Motus Marks Six Years of Youth Employment Initiative
The company has placed thousands of young people into roles across the South African automotive sector.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Employment
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Motus has concluded six years of participation in the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme, successfully placing 3,375 young people into jobs across eight South African provinces. The initiative provides participants with essential skills in business and technology to prepare them for the future automotive industry.
Why it matters
By providing foundational training and hands-on experience, the programme equips the next generation of workers for the shifting automotive landscape. This initiative is vital for addressing youth unemployment while supporting the industry transition towards electrification.
The automotive sector contributes 5.2% to the South African gross domestic product and represents 15.6% of total national exports. Through the YES programme, the broader sector has successfully created over 29,000 jobs.
The players
Motus
Motus is an automotive retail and services group that manages diverse vehicle brands and support operations across the country.
Youth Employment Service
The Youth Employment Service is a business-led collaboration with government aimed at creating work experience opportunities for young South Africans.
The details
Participants in the programme gain practical experience in logistics, administration, customer service, sales, and business development. Additionally, all participants receive foundational artificial intelligence training through the integrated learning management system.
Timeline
The initiative has spanned the past six years of operation.
Macro View
The automotive sector in South Africa remains a cornerstone of the national economy, with recent workforce development trends mirroring those seen during previous industrial scaling periods. Efforts to integrate AI and electrification training represent a necessary evolution of the local labor market.
Young South Africans seeking entry into the automotive industry can access structured vocational training and work experience through these ongoing corporate partnerships. The focus on AI and electrification skills provides a direct pathway for participants to improve their long-term employability in a changing economy.
The takeaway
Focusing on both technical AI training and traditional business operations helps graduates remain competitive in a shifting industrial market. Developing these skills is essential for those looking to pivot into the future of automotive manufacturing and retail.
Further reading
For broader context on regional labor market trends, visit the South Africa Employment section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Maverick.
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