VWGA

Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has once again been honoured with the Top Employer certification. This is a result of continued pursuits to create a healthy working environment which fosters development and success for their people. VWGA has received this accolade every year since 2011 from the Top Employers Institute.

The Top Employers Institute is a globally recognised organisation that is entrusted with the responsibility of certifying companies based on the results of an HR Best Practices Survey. This survey covers multiple areas like Wellbeing, Diversity, Learning & Development, Employee Listening and other relevant considerations.

The announcement of the 2025 Top Employers was made on 16 January. Over 2 400 companies worldwide were recognised as Top Employers, 150 of them being South African companies.

Overall, VWGA achieved an impressive score of 95%, an improvement from 92% in the previous year. Key areas of achievement noted included the categories of Leadership, Culture change, remote working environment, and HR digitalisation journey.

“As the largest private employer in Nelson Mandela Bay, we take pride in fostering an environment where our people can thrive and succeed. We have been receiving this accolade for 14 years now, and every year we are honoured to accept this as it is a testament to our commitment to placing our people first,” said Russell Coleman, HR Director at VWGA. “Our 4 000 people’s wellbeing is a priority and as such, we will continue creating a culture which is conducive to growth, opportunity and success for our people,” Coleman concluded.

GQEBERHA – Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) is dedicated to improving the employability of South African youth by providing them with essential knowledge and skills, and offering opportunities to showcase their abilities, establish a strong work ethic, and prove their value.

In line with this commitment, VWGA supports the Youth Employment Services (YES) programme, initiated by the South African government six years ago to alleviate youth unemployment. Since 2019, more than 3 000 YES candidates have gained valuable work experience through VWGA and its dealer network. This 12-month programme offers young people their first employment opportunity, enabling them to earn a living and contribute to economic growth.

“As a company with a proud history of commitment to sustainable development and transformation in the country, and as a company that has always been responsive to societal needs, we have pledged our support to the YES initiative by creating job opportunities for South Africa’s youth,” explained Nonkqubela Maliza, VWGA Director for Corporate and Government Affairs.

Maliza highlighted the benefits to businesses participating in the programme, including the creation of an improved general business environment and the development of a new market by integrating youth into the economy and enhancing their earning potential.

This month, 508 new YES candidates joined VWGA, with 282 placed at the Kariega plant, as well as the Sales and Marketing and Aftersales divisions in Gauteng and Cape Town, while 226 candidates were placed within the dealer network.

“Our goal is to connect our YES trainees to permanent employment opportunities, hence, we are piloting a Volkswagen Sales Skills Training programme. This programme selects suitable YES trainees for potential sales positions within the Volkswagen dealer network,” said Maliza.

During the selection process, candidates complete a Precise Fit Sales Assessment, which evaluates how well their profiles align with the requirements and expectations of a sales position in a dealership.

“We believe that this programme will further equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to apply for Sales Executive opportunities within the dealer network,” Maliza concluded.

In celebration of Biodiversity Day on May 22, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) employees planted Plumbago Auriculata (also known as Cape Plumbago) at its main production plant in Kariega. This beautiful blue indigenous flower is rich in nectar and plays a vital ecological role by attracting pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and birds. VWGA employees rolled up their sleeves to help plant almost a thousand flowers.

VWGA is committed to biodiversity initiatives, raising awareness among employees and within the communities where it operates throughout the year. Two years ago, employees planted nearly 5 000 spekboom cuttings on the grounds of its Kariega facilities, and hundreds more were planted at local schools through the Volkswagen Community Trust.

This remarkable succulent plant is known for its carbon-absorbing properties, making it an essential player in combating climate change. A single hectare of spekboom can absorb up to 4.2 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Additionally, the company actively removes invasive trees, shrubs, and grasses from its sites while the premises is home to about 40 spayed cats. As natural hunters, cats help control the rodent and pest population.

Ulrich Schwabe, Production Director, emphasised that biodiversity is essential for healthy ecosystems. “Without a wide variety of animals, plants, and micro-organisms, we wouldn’t have the balanced ecosystems that provide us with clean air, nutrient-rich soil, and food,” said Schwabe. “We cannot have a Zero Impact Factory and not invest time in promoting biodiversity.”

In addition, Kariega-based employees and their loved-ones are regularly invited to join the in-house hiking club on nature hikes. As part of the recent biodiversity awareness campaign, employees made their way to 3Rivers Forest Hike outside Gqeberha. Meanwhile, VWGA supports nature conservation efforts through its long-standing partnership with the Wilderness Foundation Africa, providing the organisation with a vehicle which enables them to carry out critical conservation work. The company also hosts an annual Show of Hands employee volunteer event aimed at supporting an environmental cause in the Nelson Mandela Bay community.

Transitioning to renewable energy is more than just a means to avoid the disruptive effects of power outages for Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA), but rather a conscious step towards reducing the environmental impact of fossil fuels.

Recognising the effect of fossil fuels on global climate change, VWGA is striving to minimise its dependence on these energy sources. As the nation celebrates Energy Month in May, VWGA highlights its commitment to become carbon neutral in vehicle and component production by 2030 through its Zero Impact Factory initiatives.

To this end, significant investments totalling up to R100 million have been made in recent years to transition to renewable energy. By the end of this year a total of 5.6 MWp of solar energy will be powering Volkswagen’s manufacturing plant in Kariega.

The installation of 3 MWp Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels in the employee car park at the Kariega plant is currently commissioned and is expected to be operational by September 2024. The latest installation complements the existing 2.6 MWp of rooftop PV panels in the vehicle assembly plant and the 163 kWp at the component manufacturing plant.

South Africa’s largest exporter of passenger cars is following a global trend. According to the World Economic Forum the world added 50% more renewable capacity last year compared to 2022. The world’s capacity to generate renewable electricity is expanding faster than at any time in the last three decades, giving it a real chance of achieving the goal of tripling global capacity by 2030, the International Energy Agency reported.

Ulrich Schwabe, VWGA Production Director, emphasised the importance of transitioning to renewable energy. “Our plan to become a Zero Impact Factory by 2030 aligns with our global Group Strategy Way to Zero. We all witness the effects of climate change and its impact on biodiversity. Our commitment to carbon neutrality reflects the urgency for immediate action,” said Schwabe.

According to the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, manufacturing in Nelson Mandela Bay, where VWGA is headquartered, accounts for at least 55% of electricity consumption. This highlights the significance of renewable energy sources as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.