Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) has extended the application period for its bursary scheme to May 30. The scheme is designed to facilitate the entry of young professionals into the company and will ensure the bursars acquire an academic qualification as well as the job skills necessary to launch a successful career in the mining industry.

The bursary scheme offers three learnership options, namely tertiary studies at a university, including components of practical training prior to and during tertiary studies; studying at a university of technology, including the experiential training component required for a national diploma and/or a BTech degree; and structured practical training to be supplemented by in-house and/or industry training courses.

Amplats communications specialist Mpumi Sithole says the bursary was introduced as part of the company’s social and labour plan human resource development component, which is additional to the company’s programmes on adult basic education training, skills development, career progression planning, and internships and mentorship.

She explains that the number of bursars will depend on the number of applications received, as well as the specific area of interest, such as mining engineering, mechanical engineering, metallurgical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, analytical engineering or mine surveying. It will also be dependent on the anticipated future needs of the company.

Sithole notes that the bursary scheme covers costs pertaining to registration, tuition and textbooks, and also provides some medical cover and a computer allowance.

She says that the application process is open to students acrossSouth Africa, with applicants free to study at a university of their choice; however, “bursary applications must meet the minimum application criteria of the universities or universities of technology . . . our bursary process is concluded when a learner has received acceptance from any of the institutions”.

Students who are granted the bursary have to maintain certain marks in accordance with their individual agreement with the company. Each agreement will be based on the area of study. Further, Sithole notes that the contractual agreements require bursars to work for Amplats for a specified time.

Notice of the bursary application was communicated through the local media and communication channels in and around Amplats’ operations, and at targeted institutions for several weeks.