Toyota South Africa says weak maths and science results are straining its talent pipeline, and it is pushing ahead with a massive education program that is already producing good results.
The company has launched a high school intervention targeting Grade 10 to 12 learners, with a clear objective: to rebuild the pipeline of technical skills needed to sustain manufacturing.
Skills shortage impacts production pipeline
President and CEO Andrew Kirby said increasing operating pressures at Toyota's Durban plant have exposed a deeper problem: a shortage of skilled workers.
“We were struggling to attract and attract talent into our pipeline,” Kirby said.
He pointed to a broader systemic issue: South Africa's education system is not producing enough learners with strong math and science skills who can enter technical careers.
This difference directly affects manufacturing performance and growth.
Marks jump sharply after intervention
Toyota's response was to intervene at the school level.
The program targets Grade 12 learners struggling with math and science, providing:
—Smart devices with structured learning content
—24/7 academic support
-Eight Intensive Saturday Boot Camp
-Mentorship, Entrepreneurship Training and Life Skills
The results have been significant.
Learners who had an average of 59% in maths and 55% in science improved to 84% and 71% respectively.
“Now all of a sudden their life has opened up for them,” Kirby said.
From classroom to factory floor
Top performing learners are included in further opportunities.
Some are selected for a two-year technical training program through the TVET College, where they qualify in mechatronics and gain practical experience inside Toyota operations.
Others receive university scholarships.
Employment results have already emerged from this program.
“We have now employed 60 of these individuals, and their future is really bright,” Kirby said.
This program is spread throughout the provinces
What started around Toyota's Durban operations has grown rapidly.
This initiative now includes:
-41 schools
-Four provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, North West and Northern Cape
-More than 1,200 learners
It has expanded beyond Grade 12 to include Grades 10 and 11, expanding the pipeline for the first time.
Toyota is working with the Department of Education and several partners to expand this program.
Call on other corporates to also intervene
Kirby said the model is designed to be replicated, and other companies are being urged to join in.
“We encourage anyone who wants to participate to join the board,” he said.
He emphasized that although technology and systems matter, people remain at the center of both business success and national development.
“We're just a people's business … and as a country, we also separate ourselves from the people.”
'His life changed': a learner's story
Kirby shared an example of a learner who joined the program in 2022.
Facing financial constraints and poor academic performance, he used the support to improve his results, enter the technical training stream and secure employment at Toyota.
“She's working with us now… and doing some really cool projects,” he said.
Their trajectory highlights the program's broader impact, he said: transforming struggling learners into skilled workers with long-term career prospects.
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For more, listen to Kirby on 702's Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa using the audio player below: