Stellantis South Africa has partnered with Social Coding South Africa to expand access to coding, robotics, artificial intelligence and digital skills for learners and teachers in underserved communities, with the programme expected to begin reaching schools in early 2027.
The initiative will use a mobile computer laboratory to take technology training directly to schools that have limited access to digital infrastructure.
The programme is designed to help learners develop practical digital skills while also strengthening the ability of teachers and young facilitators to continue delivering technology education within their communities.
Rather than relying only on learners travelling to technology centres, the mobile laboratory will travel to participating schools.
Stellantis Digital Skills Programme at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Partners | Stellantis South Africa and Social Coding South Africa |
| Programme focus | Digital skills and technology education |
| Start | Early 2027 |
| Delivery model | Mobile computer laboratory |
| Target schools | Underserved schools with limited technology access |
| Learners | Grade 8 and Grade 9 |
| Key subjects | Coding, robotics, AI and digital literacy |
| Teachers | Technology integration training |
| Young facilitators | Facilitator training and digital skills certification |
| Work experience | Selected participants may receive paid work experience |
| Competitions | Robotics competitions at national and international level |
Why the Programme Is Being Introduced
Access to technology remains uneven across communities.
While some schools have computer laboratories, high-speed internet and extensive digital learning resources, others have limited access to the equipment needed to expose learners to emerging technologies.
The Stellantis and Social Coding South Africa partnership is designed to address part of this gap by taking the technology laboratory to schools.
The mobile model means that schools do not necessarily need to have permanent technology infrastructure before learners can participate.
The programme will focus on practical learning rather than simply introducing learners to technology through theory.
What Will Learners Learn?
The programme will provide Grade 8 and Grade 9 learners with practical training in several areas of digital technology.
Coding
Learners will be introduced to coding and computational thinking.
Coding skills can help students understand how software and digital applications are created and can provide a foundation for further studies in computer science and related fields.
Robotics
Robotics training can introduce learners to the relationship between software, hardware, engineering and automation.
It can also encourage problem-solving and teamwork through practical projects.
Artificial Intelligence
AI will form part of the programme’s training.
Introducing learners to artificial intelligence at an early stage can help them understand one of the technologies increasingly influencing education, business, manufacturing and other industries.
Digital Literacy
The programme will also develop broader digital skills that can help learners engage more confidently with technology.
Teachers Will Receive Technology Training
The initiative is not focused only on learners.
Teachers will also receive training designed to help them integrate technology into classroom teaching.
This is important because the long-term impact of a digital skills programme depends partly on whether schools can continue using the knowledge and resources after an external programme ends.
By strengthening teacher capabilities, the partnership aims to leave digital knowledge within participating schools.
Teachers can potentially use technology-based approaches in subjects beyond coding or robotics, depending on the training and resources available.
Young Facilitators to Receive Certification
Young people will also have an opportunity to participate as facilitators.
The programme will provide selected young participants with:
- Facilitator training
- Digital skills development
- Certification
- Practical experience
Some selected participants are expected to receive paid work experience to support the expansion of the initiative.
This component creates an additional pathway for young people to develop workplace-related skills while contributing to digital education in their communities.
Programme Aims to Create Long-Term Skills
One of the distinguishing features of the initiative is its focus on sustainability.
The mobile laboratory will not simply arrive at a school, deliver a short programme and leave without developing local capacity.
The partners intend to train teachers and young facilitators so that knowledge remains within communities after the mobile laboratory moves to another school.
Social Coding South Africa founder Thembiso Magajana said this approach is intended to help ensure that digital skills remain in communities after the mobile lab has moved on.
The objective is therefore to create a multiplier effect, where trained teachers and facilitators can continue supporting digital learning.
When Will the Programme Start?
The programme is scheduled to begin reaching beneficiary schools in early 2027.
This means the initiative should not currently be presented as a general 2026 application programme for Grade 8 and Grade 9 learners.
The available announcement does not provide a public application form, nationwide registration process or closing date for schools or individual learners.
Schools and young people interested in participating should wait for official programme information from the partners.
Who Is the Programme For?
The initiative has several target groups.
Grade 8 and 9 Learners
Learners in these grades at participating underserved schools will receive practical training in coding, robotics, AI and digital literacy.
Teachers
Teachers will receive support to integrate technology into classroom learning.
Young Facilitators
Selected young people will receive facilitator training and digital skills certification.
Some may also receive paid work experience connected to the programme.
Robotics Competitions Provide Additional Exposure
Learners participating in the programme will have opportunities to take part in national and international robotics competitions.
Competitions can provide a different type of learning environment where students apply technical knowledge to practical challenges.
They can also expose learners to other young people working on technology projects and provide opportunities to experience different approaches to problem-solving.
Participation in international competitions may also give learners exposure to global innovation.
However, competition participation does not guarantee awards, scholarships or employment.
Why Coding and AI Skills Matter
Digital technologies are becoming increasingly important across many parts of the economy.
Coding, artificial intelligence, robotics and digital literacy are relevant to sectors including:
- Information technology
- Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Automotive technology
- Finance
- Telecommunications
- Healthcare
- Logistics
- Education
- Research
Early exposure does not mean every learner will pursue a technology career.
It can, however, help students discover interests they may otherwise never have had an opportunity to explore.
Stellantis Philanthropy
The programme forms part of Stellantis Philanthropy, the company’s global philanthropic initiative.
The initiative focuses on areas including education, youth development and expanding access to opportunities through community investment.
Sizwekazi Mdingi, Head of Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa at Stellantis, said access to skills and opportunities can contribute to long-term social and economic development.
The company sees the partnership with Social Coding South Africa as part of its broader commitment to supporting young people and educators.
Bridging the Digital Divide
The programme is also intended to address the digital divide.
The digital divide refers to differences in people’s access to technology, connectivity, digital resources and the skills required to use them effectively.
For schools with limited technology infrastructure, access to a mobile computer laboratory can provide an opportunity to introduce learners to equipment and technologies they may not otherwise encounter regularly.
The mobile model is particularly relevant because it reduces the need for schools to transport learners to a central technology facility.
Instead, the learning environment is taken directly to participating communities.
Potential Benefits for Learners
Learners participating in the programme could gain exposure to:
- Coding
- Robotics
- Artificial intelligence
- Digital literacy
- Problem-solving
- Technology projects
- Teamwork
- Innovation
- Robotics competitions
The programme may also help learners become more familiar with possible careers in technology and engineering.
However, specific academic or employment outcomes will depend on individual learners and their continued education and training.
Potential Benefits for Teachers
Teachers are expected to benefit through technology-focused training.
This can help educators gain confidence in incorporating digital tools and concepts into classroom teaching.
The longer-term objective is to ensure that schools can continue developing digital skills after the mobile laboratory has moved to another community.
Potential Benefits for Young Facilitators
The facilitator component could provide selected young people with a combination of:
- Digital skills
- Facilitation experience
- Certification
- Community-based work experience
- Potential paid work experience
This can be particularly valuable for young people looking to build practical experience while developing technology-related skills.
The announcement does not state the number of paid positions available or provide salary information.
Is This a Learnership?
No.
The announcement describes a digital education and skills-development initiative rather than a formal learnership programme.
Learners will receive training, while selected young facilitators may receive certification and paid work experience.
Anyone interested in a formal learnership should wait for a separate official vacancy or learnership advertisement containing the qualification, requirements, stipend and application process.
Is There an Application Form?
The announcement does not provide a general application form for learners or young people.
Participation is expected to take place through beneficiary schools and the programme partners.
Anyone interested should rely on official announcements from Stellantis South Africa or Social Coding South Africa for information about participating schools, facilitator opportunities or future recruitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the programme start?
The programme is expected to begin reaching beneficiary schools in early 2027.
Who will receive training?
The programme will support Grade 8 and Grade 9 learners, teachers and selected young facilitators at participating schools.
What will learners study?
Learners will receive practical training in coding, robotics, artificial intelligence and digital literacy.
Will teachers receive training?
Yes. Teachers will be equipped to integrate technology into classroom teaching.
Will young people receive certification?
Selected young participants will receive facilitator training and digital skills certification.
Will facilitators be paid?
Selected participants are expected to receive paid work experience, but the announcement does not specify the number of positions, duration or payment amount.
Will learners receive a stipend?
No learner stipend is mentioned in the programme announcement.
Can learners apply individually?
The announcement does not provide an individual learner application process. The programme is intended to reach beneficiary schools.
Is this a learnership?
No. It is a digital skills and education initiative rather than a formal learnership.
Will learners participate in robotics competitions?
The programme provides opportunities for participating learners to compete in national and international robotics competitions.
Why is a mobile laboratory being used?
The mobile laboratory is intended to overcome infrastructure and transport barriers by bringing technology training directly to schools with limited access to digital resources.
Key Takeaways
- Stellantis South Africa and Social Coding South Africa are partnering on a digital skills initiative.
- The programme is expected to begin reaching schools in early 2027.
- A mobile computer laboratory will take technology training directly to underserved schools.
- Grade 8 and Grade 9 learners will receive training in coding, robotics, AI and digital literacy.
- Teachers will receive training to integrate technology into classroom teaching.
- Selected young facilitators will receive digital skills certification and facilitator training.
- Some selected facilitators are expected to receive paid work experience.
- Learners will have opportunities to participate in national and international robotics competitions.
- The programme aims to leave digital skills within communities by training teachers and facilitators.
- No general learner application form, stipend or closing date has been announced.
Editorial Policy
This article is based on information supplied about the Stellantis South Africa and Social Coding South Africa partnership and the programme’s stated objectives.
We distinguish between confirmed programme activities and opportunities that may depend on selection or future announcements. We do not describe the initiative as a learnership, bursary or guaranteed employment programme.
Where the announcement does not provide a stipend amount, number of paid positions, application process or closing date, we do not invent or assume those details.
Readers should verify participation and recruitment information through the official programme partners before submitting personal information.
Official Sources and References
- Stellantis South Africa — official company information and announcements.
- Stellantis Philanthropy — information on the company’s philanthropic initiatives.
- Social Coding South Africa — programme and digital-skills information.
- Original programme announcement supplied for this article — details on the mobile computer laboratory, Grade 8 and 9 training, teacher development and facilitator opportunities.
Tip for Learners and Young People
This programme is not currently advertised as an open learnership or bursary. If you want to participate, monitor official announcements from Stellantis South Africa, Social Coding South Africa and participating schools rather than paying anyone who claims to offer guaranteed placement.
