Kia’s ‘Bootcamp’ program provides technological education to future generations in Mexico, Peru, the Philippines and Morocco
Initiative aims to create a virtuous cycle of self-reliance
Industry-academia partnerships provide route to employment for trainees at local Kia retailers
Expansion to Ecuador, South Africa, and Singapore set for 2026
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 21, 2026 – Kia Corporation (Kia) has today unveiled a new documentary highlighting the work of its ‘Bootcamp’ program, which provides relevant technology education for future generations, helping global communities establish a foundation for self-reliance.
What is Bootcamp?
As Kia’s flagship CSR initiative, Bootcamp aims to deliver a practical and sustainable virtuous cycle, rather than one-time material support. This is exemplified by the program’s ‘priming water’ mantra, which refers to the water poured into a pump to begin drawing water up from a deep well.
Tae-Hun (Ted) Lee, Head of Global Operations Division at Kia, said: “Bootcamp is a very meaningful and valuable activity that draws a bright future from the deep well of global youth potential. We will continue to expand various programs that provide local partners with opportunities to acquire new technologies at world-class educational facilities while experiencing the Kia brand firsthand.”
How does Bootcamp operate?
In addition to donating training vehicles, Kia provides various equipment and training related to automotive technologies, including not only internal combustion engines but also hybrids and electric vehicles. Forming industry–academia partnerships between Kia retailers and local educational institutions, Bootcamp provides customized courses suited to local conditions and offers participating students unique opportunities for personal growth.
What does the documentary depict?
The documentary was produced to share the achievements of Bootcamp 1.0 in 2025 and to
present the vision for Bootcamp 2.0, which will be promoted over the coming year. Throughout Bootcamp 1.0, Kia trained a total of 87 professional mechanics in four countries—Mexico, Peru, the Philippines and Morocco—with 34 of them having so far successfully secured employment at local dealerships.
What are the future plans for Bootcamp?
A further 50 trainees are currently undergoing training in Morocco, with the program scheduled to expand to Ecuador, South Africa, and Singapore in 2026. Kia will continue to explore opportunities to broaden the impact of the Bootcamp initiative through partnerships and collaborations worldwide.
About Kia Corporation
Kia (www.kia.com) is a global mobility brand with a vision to create sustainable mobility solutions for consumers, communities, and societies around the world. Founded in 1944, Kia has been providing mobility solutions for more than 80 years. With 52,000 employees worldwide, a presence in more than 190 markets, and manufacturing facilities in six countries, the company today sells around three million vehicles a year. Kia is spearheading the popularization of electrified and battery electric vehicles and developing a growing range of mobility services, encouraging millions of people around the world to explore the best ways of getting around. The company’s brand slogan – ‘Movement that inspires’ – reflects Kia’s commitment to inspire consumers through its products and services.
For more information, visit the Kia Global Media Center for more.