SASOL Bursary Scheme
SASOL, established in 1950 and well known to be South Africa’s leading international integrated energy and chemicals company, is a premier source of learnership and bursary opportunities. The company also offers a large number of challenging opportunities relating to a range of different careers. The company is an employer of more than 35,000 people in more than 37 countries.
CAPTION: The SASOL logo was designed to show that the company is multi-faceted but has a stable core that is “a force greater than the sum of its parts”. Online the blue balls of the logo are constantly moving while the core remains solidly still.
The SASOL Bursary Scheme
SASOL bursaries are open to South African students who are studying engineering, commerce or science full time. Once students within the bursary scheme have completed their studies, and qualified, they may be given the opportunity to become an employee of the SASOL Group via the company’s Graduate Development Programme.
If students have already begun their studies, they must have passed all the courses for which they registered. The entry requirements specified by SASOL are specified for the three possible university degrees:
1. Bachelor of Engineering: chemical, electrical, electronic industrial, civil, mining, computer or mechanical. The required subjects and curriculum mark are maths (level 7), science (level 6), and English (level 5).
2. Bachelor of Science: chemistry (masters is compulsory), geology or metallurgy (honours is compulsory for both). The required subjects and curriculum mark are maths (level 7), science (level 6), and English (level 5).
3. Bachelor of Commerce: accounting (CA route). The required subjects and curriculum mark are maths and English (both level 5).
All students accepted into the SASOL Bursary scheme get their tuition fees, registration and examination fees, accommodation and books paid for. They also receive pocket money, meal allowances and get the opportunity to do work during vacations with a paid salary. In addition there are meal allowances and they also get a once-off PC allowance.
SASOL Learnerships
In addition to SASOL bursaries, the company also offers learnership opportunities. Learners joining this programme are trained in both safety standards and core skills that are associated with the operation and maintenance of SASOL plants. The aim of this scheme is to encourage job creation in South Africa and to promote the development of talent within the industry.
The company offers on-the-job learning opportunities that are backed by institutional or structural learning in the fields of boiler-making, chemical plant operations, electrical operations, fitting and turning, instrumentation, welding and rigging.
Entry requirements are:
- Grade 12 with “pure maths” HG or SG
- Grade 12 physical science HG or SG
- Grade 12 English OR / N3
- Certificate with maths, engineering science, business English and any two subjects passed
Anyone who receives a learnership from the company receives a monthly allowance together with workbooks, manuals, and all the necessary professional protective equipment (PPE). All applicants may apply online.
Most of the learners who participate in SASOL learnerships are given fulltime jobs at SASOL.
From School to Tertiary Studies
SASOL doesn’t only pay students to further their studies, the company is also supportive and offers advice. They know how difficult it can be – they also know that the skills that relate to engineering, science and commerce are covered by several of the country’s Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and not just one.
Advice offered by SASOL to those wanting to participate in the bursary scheme includes:
- Taking things one step at a time.
- Focusing on your strengths.
- Learning to communicate with those around you – including fellow learners, students, teachers and others in the community.
- Appreciating how important it is to learn from ones mistakes.
Where to find the Application Form?
Learnerships & bursary opportunities
Applications for the next batch of SASOL bursaries open on January 1, 2015, and close on March 31, 2015. These will cover study in 2016.