AIDC-EC: Leading Transformation of the Automotive Sector Future Skills Pipeline

The Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC) hosted the Future Skills Summit for the Automotive Sector, a flagship event that brought together industry leaders, academics, training providers, automotive sector stakeholders, and young professionals in the AI & digital space. Held on the 10th of April 2025 at Hotel Osner on Esplanade, East London, the summit provided a platform for expert panel discussions and presentations, a showcase of best practices in skills development for future jobs.

Officially opening the Summit, AIDC-EC Board Chairperson, Mr Phumzile Zitumane set the tone of the day, and spoke to the need for institutions of training and higher learning to be responsive to the industry requirements to ensure a steady supply of a skilled work force that can adapt to technological advancements and industry demands.  

The summit featured on the other hand, an exciting element for the Grade 9 and 10 learners from the following schools: Zanempucuko Senior Secondary School, Enoch Sontonga SSS, Sophathisana SSS, Silimela High School  and Ebenezer Majombozi High School, who participated at the launch of the AIDC-EC's inaugural Coding Club, a game-changer in nurturing young talent through Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) learning.

The club got learners into a 4-hours coding and robotics immersion, condensing 4 months' worth of learning into a single day. The young coders presented their newfound skills to an eager main summit audience, demonstrating the potential for innovation and creativity in the sector.

Professor Didibhuku W. Thwala from Walter Sisulu University's Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, delivered a presentation on "Future skills requirements in the automotive sector on the readiness for Electric Vehicle production in South Africa". His presentation highlighted the critical role of industry-academia collaboration in developing the skills required for the automotive sector, particularly in the context of emerging technologies such as electric vehicles.

Ms Edem Foli, Project Manager at uYilo Electric Mobility Programme, delivered a compelling presentation on the programme's initiatives to accelerate electric mobility in the Eastern Cape. As a partnership between Nelson Mandela University and AIDC-EC, uYilo is playing a critical role in promoting sustainable transportation solutions in the region.

The summit featured a series of panel discussions, bringing together representatives from key industry players to share their insights and perspectives on the future of the automotive sector. The panellists included representatives from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), MerSETA, and AIDC Gauteng.

Key takeaways from the panel discussions included:

- The importance of industry-academia collaboration in developing future skills

- The need for ongoing training and upskilling to address the impact of emerging technologies

- The role of government and industry in supporting skills development and innovation

From the discussions, it was crystal clear that stakeholders are in agreement on the need to create a collaborative environment that propels the automotive industry forward. Unanimously, they committed to fostering a conducive environment for all to collaborate, driving the betterment, growth, and development of a mature automotive industry.

The Inaugural Future Skills Summit was a success and forms a sound baseline for future engagements on collaborations and innovative means upskilling future employees in the automotive sector. The AIDC-EC is committed driving initiatives that enable the Eastern Cape automotive sector to become globally competitive.