As South Africa marks Youth Month, two sectors of the automotive aftermarket industry in the Eastern Cape are taking practical steps to develop the next generation of technical talent. Through hands-on competitions and industry-led training, learners are being given an opportunity to showcase their skills, gain valuable exposure and explore rewarding career pathways within the automotive sector.
On 6 June 2026, the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) will host its annual Motor Mech Competition at Port Rex Technical High School in East London. At the same time, the South African Motor Body Repairers' Association (SAMBRA) is preparing to launch its own learner competition focused on panel beating and spray painting skills at Baysville Technical High School in East London. For SAMBRA, this will be the first competition of its kind.
As part of the initiative, Apex Paint Company will provide specialised in-house training for learners involved in the school's spray painting and panel beating programmes on Friday, 5 June. The training will cover key aspects of the refinishing industry, including automotive paint technology, surface preparation, spray-painting techniques, workplace health and safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), hazardous material handling, and career opportunities within the sector.
Following the training, the competition will take place on the same day. Teams comprising a panel beater and spray painter will work together to restore and refinish damaged vehicle panels under competition conditions.
According to Abie Kriek, SAMBRA Regional Representative in the Eastern Cape, panel beating competitors will be required to assess damage, reshape and straighten panels, apply filler where necessary, and prepare surfaces to a paint-ready standard. Spray painting competitors will then complete the refinishing process, including preparation, priming, colour application and clear coating, while adhering to strict quality and safety standards.
"Every successful artisan starts with an opportunity to learn, practise and demonstrate their skills. While this is a relatively small start, it represents an important step in exposing young people to the highly skilled and technologically advanced careers available within the motor body repair industry," says Kriek. "The future sustainability of our sector depends on attracting and developing the next generation of artisans."
The event is an extension of the broader Motor Mech Show initiative, where young motor mechanics and technicians will battle it out in the MIWA Junior Motor Mech Competition. The winners of both the MIWA Junior Motor Mech Competition and the SAMBRA Junior Skills Competition will be announced at Port Rex on Saturday, 6 June.
Both competitions are designed to strengthen the connection between technical education and industry while showcasing the skills of aspiring young technicians. They underscore the industry's commitment to investing in youth development and ensuring that technical careers remain visible, relevant and accessible to young South Africans.
"As Youth Month reminds us, talent exists in classrooms and workshops across the country. The responsibility of industry is to create opportunities for that talent to be recognised, nurtured and developed into the skilled professionals who will drive the future of South Africa's automotive sector," concludes Kriek.