Hyundai Automotive South Africa is taking practical steps to empower young women by introducing high school girls to hands-on automotive skills, using real workshop tools and mechanical training instead of traditional classroom talks.
At Kloof High School in Durban, Grade 12 girls stepped out of the classroom and into the workshop during Hyundai’s Young Girls Automotive Skills Workshop. Instead of simply hearing about career opportunities in the automotive industry, learners got hands-on experience changing tyres, checking oil and water levels, interpreting dashboard warning lights, and exploring modern vehicle electronics.
The initiative aims to build practical confidence early — long before these learners become drivers, consumers or potential industry professionals.
Mark Torrance, Regional General Manager for KwaZulu-Natal at Hyundai Automotive South Africa, says the focus is on competence and confidence.
“By sharing practical automotive knowledge and basic vehicle skills with young learners early on, we are helping them build understanding and self-assurance,” he said. “When they become active mobility consumers, they will be better equipped to understand their vehicles, make informed decisions and prioritise their safety.”
Suzanne van der Merwe, Regional Fleet Manager for KwaZulu-Natal, reinforced the importance of early technical exposure.
“Equipping young girls with essential vehicle knowledge at school level lays a strong foundation. This knowledge ensures they are informed and safer future drivers,” she explained.
For many of the learners, the experience challenged stereotypes around who belongs in technical spaces. The workshop demonstrated that automotive skills are not gender-specific — they are practical life skills.
Kloof High School Principal Rob Holding described the session as invaluable.
“Our girls learned tyre changing, oil and water checks, how to interpret warning lights and technological functions. This was a hugely successful exercise and we deeply appreciate Hyundai for bringing such a programme to our school,” he said.
This workshop is the first in what Hyundai says will be a broader rollout of similar initiatives, including expansion into rural communities as part of its youth skills development strategy.
By placing tools directly into the hands of young women, Hyundai Automotive South Africa is not only broadening awareness of career pathways — it is actively breaking barriers in technical education and mobility confidence.
