The South African Weather Service Bursary.
Matriculants and graduates who meet the SA Weather Service requirements have been invited to apply for bursaries for 2015. Application Form. There are four areas of study, and all applications must be submitted by October 21st 2014. Successful applications will know within a month if their applications have been accepted.
The South African Weather Service provides information about general weather forecasts as well as shipping and aviation forecasts. They give weather warnings, make observations, and provide general climate information. The jobs the Service offers relate directly to the study areas that they are encouraging.
The areas of study are:
• Weather observations
• Meteorology
• Science
• Weather forecasting
Weather Observations Bursaries for 2015
Bursaries that provide ten months training in weather observation at the South African Weather Service Meteorological Training Institute in Pretoria are available to students who have a Matric (Grade 12) certificate with E symbols or higher in both physical science and mathematics (not just maths literacy).
Studies will begin in February next year (2015) and training will be in all the various aspects of weather observation. These are specified in the requirements for the South African National Certificate in Weather Observation (SAQA QUAL ID no 58995).
Once training is complete there will be the possibility of employment at a Weather Service regional office. These are in Calvinia, Cape Town, De Aar, Ermelo, George, Irene, Kimberley, OR Thambo, Port Elizabeth, and Upington.
Any candidates hoping for employment should be aware that it will involve shift work and one of the employment requirements is a valid driving license. If you are planning to apply for a bursary, and don’t have a driver’s license, you will need to get one at your own cost before the end of next year.
In it’s advertisement for bursaries for 2015, the SA Weather Service points out that it is “an equal opportunity employer”, and that it will give preference to women and people from “previously disadvantaged” communities.
All applicants will be expected to provide a certified copy of their national certificate as well as a testimonial. Successful applicants will be asked to sign a bursary contract with the SA Weather Service.
Meteorology Bursaries
Studies in meteorology involve an introduction to the subject in the form of a one-year Bachelor of Science “bridging course”, as well as the possibility of then going on to study for an honours degree in meteorology, with a post-grad certificate that qualifies them to do weather forecasting.
Graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree (three years) who have majored in relevant subjects including physics, applied mathematics, mathematics, oceanography, or specific meteorological-related subjects may apply for a meteorological bursary that will cover a one-year course during which they will study basic meteorology. They must at very least have completed mathematics on level 2 and physics on level 1.
Study will be at Pretoria University and the course will begin in February next year (2015).
Some successful graduates will be offered the opportunity to continue studying the BSc honours course in meteorology that will enable them to get a post graduate certificate in weather forecasting.
Bachelor of Science Bursaries
Students who have already registered with the university to study, as well as those who have already applied to the University of Pretoria to study for a BSc degree, may apply for these bursaries. Either a letter of confirmation or proof of registration will be required by the SA Weather Service.
Subjects specified are meteorology, oceanography, agrometeorology, air quality, atmospheric science and climatology.
Anyone with a Matric (Grade 12) certificate who achieved a C symbol for physical science and mathematics is invited to apply for a bursary. Those with the old “higher grade” certificate in both physics and mathematics may also apply.
Forecasting Internships
Graduates with an honours degree in atmospheric sciences or meteorology may apply for this bursary. However graduates must have achieved a pass in first year university level physical science and second-year university level mathematics. The course, which also starts in February next year (2015), involves a year’s internship to train in forecasting, and will take place at the SA Weather Service’s head offices in Pretoria.
Applicants are required to provide certified copies of their SA ID document, their Matriculation results, and academic records that will prove subject choices at university level. They will also be required to have a basic computer literacy level, and be capable of good interpersonal relations.
Candidates will be short-listed and only successful candidates will be contacted by the Weather Service.