Food giant, RCL Foods in Westville, KwaZulu-Natal, has six bursary options up for grabs this month. They are in the fields of marketing, finance, engineering and agriculture, and will give you the opportunity to get a job in these fields at RCL. Applications for all of these bursaries close on October 31.
The RCL Foods Bursary Scheme has been set up to create a “feeder pipeline” into the company’s Management Trainee Programme and it is a key element of their Talent Acquisition Strategy. RCL Foods Limited is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and incorporates a number of smaller Pty (Ltd) companies – Food Corp, Rainbow Farms, TSB Sugar RSA, and Vector Logistics. Their stated mission is to build a huge African food business that will create a value chain that is sustainable and offers “compelling” food brands. They boast a “one company” philosophy and have already achieved a market capitalization of more than R14-billion. They also employ more than 19,000 people.
The RCL Foods Bursary Scheme
RCL Foods has declared a commitment to its employees and their training, recognising that people are the most vital resource for the company and its continued growth.
The bursary scheme has been set up primarily to assist the children of permanent RCL Foods’ employees who want to get a recognised post-matriculation qualification. However they will also consider “CSI students” and “external bursars”, in terms of their equity policy. This states that the company will “promote from within wherever possible” and consider internal applicants before they review external candidates.
RCL Foods’ bursaries are available in all parts of the country and not just in KZN. They apply to several different Sector Training and Education Authorities (SETAs) including:
This makes the bursaries one of the best options for Grade 12 learners who don’t currently have the basic skills to find employment in these fields.
RCL Foods Bursary Options
There are currently six bursary options available from RCL Foods. They will enable successful applicants to study:
- Marketing
- Finance
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Supply Chain
- Agriculture
All bursaries are for full-time undergraduate study that will result in a Bachelor of Technology or other degree. The bursary only covers qualifications that are accredited by SAQA. However the company will also consider post-graduate studies, particularly in areas where “scarce skills shortage” is recognized, although this will depend on the merits of each case, as well as fund availability. Only applicants achieving aggregates of at least 60 percent will be considered.
The funding of all bursaries is for one year only, although they will be re-evaluated annually and may be extended if academic performance is up to scratch. Bursaries cover registration, tuition and examination fees, as well as books required, and will be paid to the learning institution, not the student. Accommodation, clothing and other living expenses are expressly not covered. Successful applicants will be required to sign contractual agreements for the same period of time as their studies.
RCL Foods have a comprehensive Employment Equity Policy that has been set up to provide opportunities for a range of employees across the spectrum, incorporating people of all cultures and race, any background, either gender, and of all ages. The company is determined to equalize employee opportunities and erase all forms of discrimination. It will also make certain that there is ongoing consultation and engagement with employment equity committees regarding issues that relate to diversity in the workplace.
While these policies and strategies obviously favor the families of current RCL Foods employees, the bursary options available do provide opportunities for a small number of outsiders.