Previous Graduates from the Programme

Rodrick Jacob (B-Tech: Marketing Management)

“It always seems impossible, until it is done” – Nelson Mandela

As a young boy I had a passion for cars and Volkswagen always stood out as the Brand that interested me the most. It has always been a dream to work for such a great brand.

The Volkswagen Group South Africa Graduate Programme has enabled me to make this dream a reality. The Graduate Trainee Programme is well structured and managed and I believe Volkswagen Group South Africa invests a lot in Graduate Trainees, adequately developing us to meet the challenges of our respective jobs. The Graduate Trainee Programme begins with a great integration into the company in the form of plant tours, training courses, meeting the functional directors, teambuilding activities as well as a stint working on the Production line.

The Graduate Trainee Programme has allowed me the opportunity of working together with high level management on various projects and product launches such as the Amarok Single Cab. I was also given the opportunity to represent Volkswagen Group South Africa at the Johannesburg International Motor Show. I interacted with potential customers by providing product knowledge and promoting our brand. It is really a great feeling to being part of such events, as it shows that your ideas and talents are highly valued by your team.

Volkswagen Group South Africa prides itself on producing world class products and this reflects in the Graduate Trainee Programme, as the investment in young talent will help produce world class future leaders.

Takazelwa Dotwana (N.D Mechanical Engineering)

"They are able because they think they are able" – Virgil

The Volkswagen Group South Africa Graduate Program has been an amazing experience. Firstly, to be one of the select few from the thousands of applicants is a great achievement. The organisation is famous for investing in the training and development of its employees.
My high expectations were certainly met.The Graduate Trainee year was filled with growth opportunities from personal development to the technical skills required to do the job. I have come to see that each individual is responsible for their success through the quality of their work, interaction with people and by taking full advantage of opportunities. It has been a humbling experience to have gotten to know my fellow Graduate Trainees. A group of motivated, driven individuals who have now become more like a family to me.

Kirston Adriaan (BA Hons Industrial Psychology)

“Never lose faith, as most people achieve their greatest success one step beyond what looked like their greatest failure” – Brian Tracy

The Volkswagen Group South Africa Graduate Trainee Programme has provided me with the perfect platform to start my career. It has given me the opportunity to see how things are done in the “real world” and gain practical experience in the human resources field. Being able to gain work experience within an organisation that is constantly striving to improve is an added benefit. It is an awesome feeling to know that you are part of a global brand producing world class products.

The adjustment from university to the corporate world can be tough, particularly for individuals like me without any previous formal work experience. The Graduate Trainee Programme has been great in helping me make this adjustment. It has helped me to start developing the necessary competencies and interpersonal/social skills needed to succeed in the corporate world.

Most importantly, accompanied with good technical and leadership training the Graduate Trainee Programme has helped me grow personally and in my career. Using this as my foundation I feel well prepared to overcome the challenges which lie ahead in the road to success.

Lebogang Mbalati (N.D Information Technology - Software development)

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." – Aristotle

The first day of the Volkswagen Group South Africa Graduate Trainee Programme was one of the most memorable moments in my life. My year on the Graduate Trainee Programme was very good, challenging, exciting and it gave me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. The programme helped me kick start and cement the foundation of my career, whilst acquiring new skills. Being a Graduate Trainee has also facilitated the transition of being in university to joining the 'big league' of the corporate world. All in all, the Graduate Trainee Programme has opened my eyes to many perspectives and to brand new experiences.

Christelle Geel (B.com Hons. Management Accounting)

"Dream big, it doesn't pay to dream small" – John Maxwell

What a wonderful, fulfilling year it has been, being part of the Volkswagen family. As a graduate trainee I became part of a market leading brand that is innovative, pushes boundaries and knows no limits.

Volkswagen Group South Africa has given me the opportunity to pursue my dreams, by providing me with a solid foundation as a start to my career. After a year I can safely say that I've grown in experience, as well as personally. Volkswagen Group South Africa provided me with opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge and to better those that I already had. Training courses, language classes, projects and many more have contributed to my career development, making me more confident and efficient in adding value to the company.

I was very fortunate to be part of the graduate trainee programme, where I’ve met a group of talented individuals, with their own unique aspirations, all starting a new journey at this global company.

Since the first day, the support system that I've had here at Volkswagen Group South Africa has enabled me to grow content in the knowledge that this is a company that is looking out for my best interests, a company that is just as invested in me, as I am, in my development, and future.

I'm extremely grateful for my year on the Graduate Trainee Programme. It's been an incredible start to the exciting and challenging journey that lies ahead. I’m truly passionate about the Volkswagen brand, and I’m looking forward to many successful years ahead.