Coporate Social Responsibility

Driving the Future of South Africa’s Automotive Industry

At Stance in the Park, we believe an event should create more than entertainment. It should create access, opportunity and a lasting impact.

South Africa has a well-established automotive manufacturing and production sector, supported by dealerships, engineering companies, component manufacturers, workshops, technical service providers, logistics businesses and sales organisations.

These industries offer significant opportunities for South African youth. However, many school learners are not exposed early enough to the full range of careers available within the automotive sector.

Our Corporate Social Responsibility programme is built around one clear purpose:

To use car culture as a gateway to education, skills development and sustainable career opportunities for young South Africans.

A portion of the profits generated through Stance in the Park, together with designated sponsorship contributions, will be used to support learners and young people who wish to pursue careers within automotive, mechanical, engineering, technical and commercial fields.

OUR VISION

Our long-term vision is to help build a generation of South African automotive professionals, technicians, engineers, sales leaders, designers, entrepreneurs and innovators.

We want young people to understand that the automotive industry extends far beyond becoming a mechanic.

Career opportunities include:

Automotive and mechanical engineering
Mechatronics and electrical systems
Vehicle manufacturing and assembly
Automotive sales and dealership management
Panel beating, spray painting and restoration
Parts manufacturing and distribution
Logistics and supply-chain management
Vehicle diagnostics and technical support
Product design and development
Motorsport and performance engineering
Marketing, finance and customer service
Workshop and dealership ownership
Automotive technology and software
Renewable mobility and electric vehicles

Our goal is not only to help young people enter these industries. We want to help them build the knowledge, confidence and networks required to eventually lead within them.

OUR CSR PILLARS

1. CAREER AWARENESS

Many learners make subject and career decisions without understanding the opportunities available within the automotive sector.

We aim to expose school learners to different professions through:

Career-awareness presentations
School visits
Industry talks
Automotive career guides
Workplace and production-facility exposure
Conversations with engineers, technicians and business leaders
Information about technical colleges, universities and apprenticeships
Guidance on relevant school subjects and qualifications

The purpose is to help learners make informed decisions before completing high school.

2. EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

We intend to support young people who demonstrate an interest in automotive, engineering and mechanical careers but may not have access to the necessary resources.

Support may include:

Educational materials
Technical learning resources
Short courses and workshops
Application assistance
Career-readiness training
Basic financial literacy
Workplace communication training
Sales and customer-service development
Interview and CV preparation
Access to industry events and learning experiences

Where resources allow, we will also explore support for course fees, tools, transport, uniforms, application costs or other practical barriers that may prevent a young person from pursuing an opportunity.

3. MENTORSHIP AND INDUSTRY EXPOSURE

Education becomes more powerful when young people can connect with professionals already working in the field.

We aim to build a mentorship network involving:

Automotive engineers
Qualified mechanics
Technicians and artisans
Dealership managers
Automotive sales professionals
Workshop owners
Manufacturers
Parts and component suppliers
Motorsport professionals
Entrepreneurs
Training institutions

Mentors may participate through career talks, group sessions, workplace visits, job-shadowing opportunities or structured mentorship programmes.

4. WORKPLACE READINESS

Qualifications are important, but young people must also understand how to operate successfully in a professional environment.

Our workplace-readiness initiatives will focus on:

Professional conduct
Time management
Communication
Teamwork
Customer service
Workplace safety
Problem-solving
Sales skills
Personal presentation
Financial responsibility
Leadership
Entrepreneurship

The aim is to help participants become prepared not only to obtain opportunities, but also to retain and grow within them.

5. ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES

Stance in the Park will seek partnerships with companies, dealerships, workshops, manufacturers and training institutions that can provide pathways into the industry.

These opportunities may include:

Job-shadowing
Workplace visits
Learnerships
Apprenticeships
Internships
Bursary information
Graduate programmes
Entry-level employment opportunities
Technical training
Sales training
Entrepreneurial guidance

Participation in the programme will not guarantee employment. Our role will be to improve access, readiness and exposure while connecting suitable candidates with credible opportunities.

6. ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT

The automotive industry also provides strong opportunities for youth-owned businesses.

We aim to expose participants to possible entrepreneurial pathways such as:

Vehicle detailing
Mobile car washing
Parts supply
Tyre and wheel services
Vehicle diagnostics
Workshop services
Panel beating and spray painting
Car-care product sales
Vehicle photography and content creation
Automotive marketing
Accessories and merchandise
Event and exhibition services
Fleet support
Logistics and vehicle transport

Young people with viable ideas may receive guidance from business owners, sales professionals and industry specialists.

HOW STANCE IN THE PARK SUPPORTS THE PROGRAMME

Stance in the Park is more than the event that raises funds for the programme. It is also an active platform for exposure and education.

The event can provide learners with access to:

Automotive businesses
Modified and performance vehicles
Professional builders
Dealership representatives
Engineers and technicians
Training institutions
Product demonstrations
Career information
Industry mentors
Business owners
Sales and marketing professionals

Where appropriate, a dedicated Youth Automotive Development Zone may be included at future events.

This area could feature career exhibitions, training institutions, technical demonstrations, mentorship sessions and information about available programmes.

HOW FUNDING WILL BE USED

A designated portion of event profits and approved sponsorship contributions will be allocated towards youth-development initiatives.

Funding may be used for:

School outreach programmes
Career-awareness materials
Learner transport to approved industry visits
Educational workshops
Technical training
Mentorship activities
Career exhibitions
Learning resources
Tools and protective equipment
Application support
Programme administration
Monitoring and reporting
Approved learner-support initiatives

Funds allocated to the CSR programme will be managed separately from ordinary event marketing and production expenditure wherever practically possible.

SPONSOR AND PARTNER INVOLVEMENT

Our sponsors are invited to participate as more than financial contributors.

Partners may support the programme by providing:

Financial sponsorship
Mentors and guest speakers
Workplace visits
Career information
Apprenticeship or learnership opportunities
Training resources
Tools and equipment
Bursary information
Job-shadowing opportunities
Interview preparation
Product demonstrations
Educational content
Access to manufacturing or dealership environments

This allows businesses to align their brand with youth development while contributing directly to the future talent pipeline of the automotive sector.

BENEFICIARY SELECTION

We aim to maintain a fair and transparent process when selecting schools, learners and youth participants.

Selection may consider:

Demonstrated interest in automotive or technical careers
School recommendations
Motivation and commitment
Academic or practical potential
Financial need
Programme suitability
Availability of relevant opportunities
Geographic accessibility

Selection will not be based solely on academic performance. Practical ability, determination, creativity and entrepreneurial potential will also be considered.

Where minors are involved, appropriate parental or guardian consent will be required.

CHILD PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARDING

The safety and dignity of every learner will remain central to the programme.

Our safeguarding approach will include:

Parental or guardian consent
Appropriate supervision
Controlled transport arrangements
Verified programme partners
Clear codes of conduct
Protection of learner information
Responsible photography and media consent
Safe communication procedures
Reporting and escalation processes
No unsupervised access to minors by unauthorised individuals

Participation in our programme must never expose a learner to unsafe, exploitative or inappropriate environments.

GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

To maintain trust, the programme will be guided by clear financial and operational controls.

These may include:

Written partnership agreements
Defined sponsorship allocations
Recorded programme expenditure
Approved beneficiary criteria
Documented programme activities
Attendance records
Partner verification
Conflict-of-interest declarations
Annual impact reporting
Financial review appropriate to the programme’s size

We will avoid making claims about impact that cannot be supported by evidence.

MEASURING OUR IMPACT

Our success will be measured by more than the amount of money raised.

We will track practical outcomes such as:

Number of schools reached
Number of learners engaged
Number of career-awareness sessions delivered
Number of mentors participating
Number of workplace visits completed
Number of training opportunities created
Number of learners referred to programmes
Number of applications supported
Number of apprenticeships, internships or learnerships accessed
Number of youth-owned businesses supported
Amount invested into approved initiatives
Feedback from learners, schools and partners

A post-event and annual impact summary may be shared with stakeholders, sponsors and the public.

OUR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Phase 1: Build the Foundation

Secure credible sponsors and strategic partners
Identify participating schools and communities
Establish beneficiary-selection criteria
Form an advisory network of automotive professionals
Create career-awareness content
Define financial and reporting processes

Phase 2: Introduce Learners to the Industry

Conduct school career-awareness sessions
Invite selected learners to Stance in the Park
Host talks with automotive professionals
Introduce relevant study and training pathways
Distribute educational materials

Phase 3: Create Practical Exposure

Arrange approved workplace visits
Facilitate job-shadowing opportunities
Introduce learners to training institutions
Provide mentorship and workplace-readiness sessions
Connect suitable participants with industry opportunities

Phase 4: Support Progression

Assist with applications where resources allow
Track learner participation and progress
Maintain contact with mentors and partners
Identify further educational or employment pathways
Publish verified programme outcomes

OUR FIRST-YEAR OBJECTIVES

During the programme’s first full implementation cycle, we aim to:

Establish partnerships with selected schools
Build relationships with automotive companies and training institutions
Host career-awareness engagements
Create a database of credible mentors
Provide selected learners with industry exposure
Introduce a youth-development activation at Stance in the Park
Begin directing event-generated funding towards approved initiatives
Publish a transparent first-year impact report

These objectives will be scaled according to the funding, partnerships and resources secured.

OUR COMMITMENT

Stance in the Park celebrates vehicles, craftsmanship, music and community. But our purpose extends beyond the event day.

We want the excitement created by car culture to become a bridge between young people and real opportunities.

We believe South African youth should not remain spectators within industries operating in their own country. They should become the engineers, technicians, manufacturers, sales leaders, innovators and business owners who shape the future of those industries.

We are not only building an event. We are helping to build South Africa’s future automotive workforce.

Stance in the Park brings together premium car culture, live entertainment, family experiences and Johannesburg energy in one unforgettable event. Come for the builds, stay for the music, and be part of the culture.