Driving equality and skills development in the vehicle bodybuilding sector

The South African Vehicle and Bodybuilders’ Association (SAVABA), an association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), is taking proactive steps to foster equality and create career opportunities within South Africa’s Manufacturing, Importing and Bodybuilding (MIB) sector.

SAVABA member businesses encompass a wide variety of operations, from truck-body manufacturers and heavy-duty trailer builders to special-application vehicle specialists. This dynamic industry offers career opportunities across design engineering, quality control, production management, and client liaison – with growing potential for young professionals and, increasingly, for women.

In response to ongoing skills shortages and the pressing need for greater workplace inclusivity, SAVABA and the RMI have launched a focused strategy to accelerate skills development and promote gender transformation. A recent milestone in this journey was the appointment of a female mechanical engineering intern at a leading SAVABA member business in KwaZulu-Natal – a move that proved both timely andimpactful.

“This placement represents more than just an internship – it’s a meaningful step toward breaking barriers and building a more inclusive future for our sector,” says Attie Serfontein, National Director of SAVABA. “We are committed to cultivating talent while addressing gender disparities that have traditionally characterised the automotive and bodybuilding industries.”

The internship offers hands-on experience in areas such as chassis engineering, wiring systems, welding automation, and body assembly – equipping the intern with invaluable practical insight that builds on her academic foundation.

According to Ursula Ehmke-Engelbrecht, Payroll & HR Administrator at the host company, the placement came at a critical time for their business.

“Attie’s email about the candidate reached us during an extremely stressful period. One of our employees in the auto electrical department was critically ill, and we were already using recruitment agencies to find someone suitable but had had no success. The timing was perfect.”

She added that although they weren’t specifically looking for a female intern, the candidate proved an ideal fit:

“Women are still underrepresented in this space, but in our experience, they bring great patience and attention to detail – not to mention smaller hands – which are perfect for intricate wiring work in auto electrical systems. In fact, we’ve just hired another female student for one of our Johannesburg operations and she’s already making a positive impact.”

Ehmke-Engelbrecht believes passionately in the potential of young women in technical roles:

“Gender equality within the motor industry is unfortunately not nearly as progressive as it should be. We’ve seen firsthand that women can perform just as well – if not better – in certain workshop roles. The problem is that not enough are entering the field.”

She acknowledges that short-term projects often limit the ability to offer permanent positions, but insists the benefits of taking on interns outweigh the costs:

“Yes, it takes time, money and effort, but it can have a positive outcome for both the student and the company. Students gain the skills they need to qualify, and we get fresh, motivated talent who add value even during their training.”

She encouraged SAVABA to continue promoting and coordinating such placements, particularly given their strong network and reach across the industry.

“This is exactly the kind of initiative that can make a real difference – not just for one company, but across the industry. Many students aren’t yet part of trade unions or networks, so they need platforms like this to help connect them with opportunities.”

From the intern’s perspective, the experience has already been life-changing.

Kimberley Shoko, the mechanical engineering student placed at the KZN facility, says the experience has boosted both her confidence and career clarity.

“I was really nervous when I first arrived, but the team has been so supportive. Every day I’m learning something new – from welding techniques to understanding how all the components fit together. It’s one thing to study engineering in a classroom, but it’s another to see it come to life on the floor.”

She encourages other young women not to be discouraged by stereotypes:

“If you’re passionate about engineering, go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t belong. I’ve learned that women absolutely can thrive in this industry – and we bring a fresh perspective too.”

SAVABA’s internship efforts form part of a broader push to support structured learning pathways, including apprenticeships in fitting & turning and millwright disciplines, as well as learnerships in vehicle bodybuilding. Core qualifications in the sector include:

These qualifications prepare young people for high-demand roles in advanced welding, composite fabrication, electrical systems, and project leadership – empowering them to thrive in one of South Africa’s most innovative industrial sectors.

“Through these initiatives, we are not only strengthening the skills pipeline, but actively driving transformation,” concludes Serfontein.

“We encourage more member businesses to open their doors to interns and become part of the solution.”