Porsche creates global opportunities for young professionals – Porsche Newsroom

Porsche’s PAVE Initiative: A Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals

Fostering Social Justice and Equality Through Corporate Strategy

Porsche’s sustainability strategy extends beyond ecological goals to encompass a profound commitment to social responsibility. This holistic approach prioritizes social justice, equal opportunities, participation, and inclusion, directly aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The company’s “Partner to Society” strategic field is designed to empower individuals and communities through targeted initiatives. This framework addresses key global challenges, contributing significantly to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by creating pathways for personal and professional development.

The Porsche Aftersales Vocational Education (PAVE) Program

Program Objectives and Contribution to SDGs

The Porsche Aftersales Vocational Education (PAVE) initiative, established in 2008, is a cornerstone of the company’s social sustainability efforts. The program was created to address two primary objectives:

• To counteract the global shortage of skilled technical workers.
• To actively fulfill the company’s social responsibility by providing high-quality education and career opportunities.

By achieving these goals, PAVE creates a mutually beneficial system that secures qualified junior professionals for the Volkswagen Group while offering young adults stable employment. The program’s focus on education, employment, and diversity makes a direct contribution to several SDGs:

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): PAVE delivers vocational training to German standards, equipping trainees with internationally recognized qualifications.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Graduates gain access to careers within a global dealer network, fostering economic stability for themselves, their families, and their communities.
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): The initiative actively works to make technical professions more attractive to women, thereby promoting diversity and equal opportunities in the automotive sector.

Program Structure and Implementation

The PAVE training model is designed to be future-oriented, preparing participants for the technological shifts in the automotive industry, including digital transformation and e-mobility. The educational framework is built on several key pillars:

1. A practice-oriented curriculum aligned with the future requirements of the automotive industry.
2. A dual-system approach that facilitates action- and competence-oriented learning.
3. The establishment of teacher competence centers to strengthen pedagogical methods, didactics, and content delivery.
4. Support for the development of modern learning environments at local training sites.

Global Implementation and Local Impact

Strategic Approach: “Think Global, Act Local”

Sustainability within the PAVE program is a continuous guiding principle. The initiative operates on a “Think global, act local” strategy, where global objectives are implemented through close, long-term collaboration with local partners. This approach is a clear demonstration of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), leveraging the knowledge of local organizations, such as the initial partnership with the NGO “Don Bosco in Manila,” to understand and address specific regional needs and potentials. Program effectiveness is ensured through the use of performance indicators, regular monitoring, and transparent reporting to measure impact and drive continuous improvement.

International Presence and Growth

Since its inception in the Philippines in 2008, PAVE has expanded into an international educational platform. The program has been adapted to local requirements and educational standards in numerous countries, including:

• Mexico
• South Africa
• China
• Saudi Arabia
• Various locations in Europe

Socio-Economic Impact on Graduates and Communities

The PAVE program has demonstrated a profound positive impact on its participants. Graduates not only gain a career perspective but also develop increased self-confidence and personal skills. This success extends beyond the individual, often strengthening the economic stability of entire families and contributing to local community development. The initiative empowers young people professionally and personally, preparing them for a sustainable future and reinforcing the program’s contribution to SDG 8 and SDG 10.

Future Outlook and Strategic Scaling

Goals for Program Expansion

Porsche plans to continue scaling the PAVE initiative globally while simultaneously anchoring its projects more specifically at the local level. The future focus remains on securing skilled workers, advancing sustainability, and addressing societal needs. This will be achieved through the strengthening of existing partnerships and the formation of new ones to ensure long-term, measurable results.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

The future development of PAVE involves not only implementing proven solutions but also co-creating new, results-oriented, and sustainable approaches with its global network. Porsche aims to continue shaping sustainability as a collective, cross-industry task, creating shared value for the company and for society.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on Porsche’s “Porsche Aftersales Vocational Education” (PAVE) initiative addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis identifies the following SDGs as being directly connected to the program’s objectives and outcomes:

• SDG 4: Quality Education – The core of the PAVE initiative is to provide high-quality vocational training and education to young adults globally.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article explicitly states an aim to make technical professions more attractive to women, thereby promoting equal opportunities.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The program is designed to equip young people with skills for employment, addressing the shortage of skilled workers and providing graduates with career opportunities.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – By offering education and career paths, the initiative provides opportunities for social and economic inclusion, empowering individuals and their communities.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The PAVE program is founded on collaboration between Porsche (a private company), an NGO (“Don Bosco in Manila”), and various local partners in different countries.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the activities and goals described in the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.”
   • Explanation: The PAVE program directly contributes to this target by providing “worldwide initial vocational training programs according to German standards” and “practice-oriented” content aligned with the automotive industry’s future needs. The goal is to equip trainees with professional knowledge and skills for employment.
2. Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.”
   • Explanation: The article mentions a specific goal to “make technical professions more attractive for women, thereby promoting diversity and equal opportunities.” This directly supports the aim of ensuring women have equal opportunities in economic life, particularly in male-dominated technical fields.
3. Target 8.6: “By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.”
   • Explanation: Although the target date has passed, the principle remains relevant. PAVE was created to address the “global shortage of skilled workers” by training young adults. The program gives them a “career perspective” and the “chance to gain employment,” directly tackling youth unemployment and lack of training.
4. Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.”
   • Explanation: The social dimension of sustainability, including “equal opportunities, participation, and inclusion,” is highlighted as a key driver. The program empowers young people “professionally and personally,” which can “strengthen entire families or even local communities,” thus promoting social and economic inclusion.
5. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.”
   • Explanation: The PAVE initiative is a model of a multi-stakeholder partnership. It began as a collaboration with the NGO “Don Bosco in Manila” and relies on “close, long-term collaboration with local partners” in countries like Mexico, South Africa, and China to implement its goals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure the success and impact of the PAVE initiative in relation to the identified targets:

• Number of graduates with certification: The article states that after successful completion, “the trainees receive an internationally recognized certificate.” Tracking the number of trainees who successfully complete the program and receive this certificate is a direct indicator of progress towards Target 4.4.
• Employment rate of graduates: The program’s success is linked to graduates starting “their careers internationally within the Volkswagen Group dealer network.” Measuring the percentage of graduates who gain employment after the training serves as a key indicator for Target 8.6.
• Proportion of female participants: To measure progress on the goal of making “technical professions more attractive for women” (Target 5.5), a relevant indicator would be the number and proportion of women enrolled in and graduating from the PAVE program over time.
• Number and geographic spread of partnerships: The article mentions the program’s growth from Manila to locations in “Mexico, South Africa, China, Saudi Arabia, and increasingly in Europe.” The number of active local partnerships and training locations is a clear indicator of scaling the partnership model described in Target 17.17.
• Use of performance monitoring systems: The article explicitly states, “We rely on performance indicators, regular monitoring, and transparent reporting to make progress visible.” This indicates a formal system is in place to track progress, even if the specific metrics are not detailed.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newsroom.porsche.com