This initiative has been launched in the Gauteng region specifically as a pilot programme and aligns with Kia’s commitment to enhancing gender diversity within the automotive industry, with a focused strategy to increase the number of female employees at key levels within the business, the manufacturer says.

As part of this initiative, Kia South Africa plans to expand the programme by adding four more participants by mid-April, bringing the total to 20, with a goal of adding two more females and two more males to the roster.

The purpose of this programme is to equip participants with both theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and experience required to become fully-fledged Sales Executives by the end of June 2025. The training programme is divided into two key phases:

Foundational Phase: Participants begin with a two-week induction at Kia’s Head Office, where they receive theoretical training on a wide range of topics related to the automotive industry.

During this phase, they will be introduced to the global Kia brand and gain a deeper understanding of its values and operations, as well as how Kia South Africa fits into the broader global strategy and contributes to the brand's success in the local market.

In-Dealer Phase: Following the induction, participants will be placed at dealerships near their homes for practical, hands-on experience. They will be actively engaged throughout the three-month programme, working closely with mentors, such as Dealer Principals, who will guide and lead them through the day-to-day operations.

Participants will be required to each submit a Portfolio of Evidence for evaluation by their workplace coaches/mentors, ensuring their progress and development are closely monitored. Upon the successful completion and evaluation of their Portfolios of Evidence, the aim is to absorb participants into Kia dealerships as Sales Executives.

“We are excited about this programme and its alignment with our commitment to not only enhance the training of our Sales personnel but also to strongly support our goal of increasing female representation within Kia South Africa,” says Paul Turnbull, CEO of Kia South Africa.