Volkswagen recently held a graduation ceremony in Johannesburg for the Dealer Principal Apprentice Programme (DPAP) class of 2021–2022.
DPAP, an 18-month leadership, and development program for black dealer principals was introduced by Volkswagen in 2011 to create a pool of black dealers with leadership skills. The program uses a blended learning approach to provide candidates with individualized mentorship and coaching that is designed to expose them to more training opportunities. It focuses on management and leadership principles specific to the automobile industry and was developed especially for Volkswagen.
Ten candidates underwent a development journey as part of the program’s fourth wave that covered topics like retail business, finance, leadership, and general management. The curriculum was created by Optima Training, a management and development learning program leader.
Of the 33 candidates who have graduated from the DPAP programme in the past decade, 17 have been promoted into Dealer Principal positions, while others have been promoted to Group Financial Director and management roles.
According to Nonkqubela Maliza, director of corporate and government affairs for the VWSA,
“Over the past ten years, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has invested more than R1 billion in transformation programs. The DPAP fosters black economic empowerment and economic inclusion while also broadening the dealer network. Furthermore, VWSA has also provided meaningful work opportunities to over 2 000 unemployed youth through the Youth Employment Service (YES), an investment program”.
